"Nearly a decade has passed since the case now known as 'Slavery Towers' exposed the human cost of San Jose's failure to enforce basic worker protections."
"In 2020, the mayor and City Council directed staff to develop a Responsible Construction Ordinance (RCO) to prevent labor trafficking, wage theft and unsafe working conditions."
"Despite that directive, progress stalled. Even as the city continued approving major development projects, meaningful labor protections were delayed."
"The central concern is the lack of oversight and implementation of wage theft protections in the face of rapid construction and development across Silicon Valley."
The 'Slavery Towers' case revealed severe worker exploitation in San Jose's construction sector, where workers were trafficked and denied pay. Despite community outcry and the adoption of a Responsible Construction Ordinance in 2024, enforcement remains lacking. Workers continue to face unsafe conditions and wage theft as the city approves new development projects without implementing necessary protections. The absence of oversight allows exploitative practices to persist, undermining efforts to ensure fair treatment and safety for laborers in the rapidly developing region.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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