Washington AG Nick Brown launches new Worker Rights Unit to combat rampant wage theft

OLYMPIA—Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announced on November 13 the formation of a dedicated Worker Rights Unit within the Attorney General’s Office to enforce the state’s labor laws, address wage theft, and protect workers from exploitation.

“Our office’s new Worker Rights Unit will support working people across Washington as they navigate challenges to maintaining quality jobs amid an affordability crisis,” Attorney General Brown said. “National studies estimate that wage theft costs American workers as much as $50 billion annually. This unit will work to level the playing field and hold accountable employers that violate the law.”

The new unit will focus on upholding Washington’s worker protections—widely regarded as among the strongest in the nation—and supporting low- and mo