The labor rights and benefits eligibility of undocumented, illegal workers is a heated immigration issue in this country and is a key focus of debate. Issues surrounding the debate include an undocumented worker’s right to receive minimum wage, the right to health benefits, the right to retirement income, and the right to workers’ compensation coverage. The issues undocumented workers are fighting for (and are securing in states such as California) include:

• The right to receive the legal minimum wage of $7.50 per hour
• The right to earn overtime pay -- with some exceptions -- after working more than eight hours per day or more than 40 hours in one week
• The right to file wage claims with the state labor commissioner if a worker believes their employer has violated state wage laws
• The right to file workplace safety and health complaints to OSHA, the state’s workplace safety and health program
• The right to work in an environment free from retaliation for exercising their rights.