EMPLOYMENT LAW: Cal Labor Commissioner Promotes Youth Workers' Safety

May 16, 2011

Pasadena—California Labor Commissioner Julie Su has campaigned for youth workers' safety at a press conference in Pasadena High School on Monday, a statement released from the agency website said.

Su highlighted employee rights of youth workers, including access to safe workplace. The first Asian American Labor Commissioner reiterated employers' responsibility to give fair treatment and accommodation to student workers. State officials from the Department of Education and members of the California Partnership for Young Worker Health and Safety supported the campaign, reports said.

According to Su, at least 146,000 teenage employees suffer injuries in the workplace each year. A quarter of this number requires serious medical treatment. The cause of accident is mostly due to hazardous work environment.

Su affirmed stringent implementation of health and safety regulations among California employers who hire workers age 16 to 19 years old. The campaign aims to reduce casualties and deaths among working students in California.