NYCOSH - A group of people hold signs supporting warehouse workers, labor unions, and respect for women's labor at a rally protesting wage theft.

Standing Up Against Worker Exploitation & Wage Theft

Wage theft and worker exploitation are more than economic issues; they are safety issues. When employers steal wages, cut corners, or ignore workers’ rights, the same workers are often exposed to the most dangerous and unhealthy job conditions.

NYCOSH mobilizes workers across New York to confront these injustices head-on. Through training, organizing, and advocacy, we help workers protect their income, their health, and their dignity on the job.

Why Wage Theft & Safety Are Connected

When workers are underpaid, threatened, or taken advantage of, they are also more vulnerable to unsafe conditions. Exploitation often goes hand in hand with:

  • Lack of protective equipment
  • Dangerous job tasks with little or no training
  • Excessive hours without breaks
  • Retaliation for speaking up
  • Exposure to hazards that employers fail to address


NYCOSH recognizes that protecting workers means addressing both the economic and health risks they face. Fair wages and safe workplaces must go together.

NYCOSH - A woman speaks at a podium with the New York State seal, surrounded by people holding signs supporting warehouse and retail worker safety, unions, and protections against wage theft.

How NYCOSH Mobilizes Workers

NYCOSH helps workers understand their rights, identify exploitation, and take action to defend themselves and their coworkers. Our work includes:

  • Training workers to recognize and document wage theft
  • Connecting workers with legal resources and enforcement agencies
  • Organizing workers to recover stolen wages
  • Supporting workers as they demand safe conditions without fear of retaliation


These tools empower workers to speak up, hold employers accountable, and build long-term protections in their workplaces.

Fair pay & safe work aren’t privileges, they’re basic rights every worker deserves.

Workshops, Community Organizing, and Advocacy

Through accessible workshops and community-based organizing, NYCOSH teaches workers how to spot red flags, gather evidence, and report violations safely. We also engage lawmakers, agencies, and labor allies to strengthen enforcement systems and increase the penalties for employers who exploit their workforce.

This combined approach, supporting individual workers while also shaping policy, helps dismantle the root causes of exploitation and protects workers far beyond a single case.

NYCOSH’s mission is to create an environment where all workers can expect fair pay and safe working conditions as basic rights. By standing with workers across industries, we help build stronger communities, healthier workplaces, and a future where exploitation has no place.

Request Support or Get Involved

If you’re experiencing wage theft, unsafe working conditions, or want to learn more about worker rights, fill out the form, and a NYCOSH representative will follow up shortly to assist you.