As FIFA World Cup 26TM matches come to Seattle and nine Fan Zones around the state for the very first time this summer, Washington is proud to host one of the most attended sporting events in the world. A sporting event of this scale will bring new businesses to Washington state along with a surge in customers for restaurants, hotels, and shops already operating here.
The Attorney General’s Office of Washington State (AGO), the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), and the Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) enforce state and local labor law. These public agencies are taking this opportunity to remind workers of their rights and businesses of their responsibilities. By working together and following the law, we can ensure a safe, fun, and respectful time for all.
For the past year, the AGO, L&I, and OLS have been meeting regularly with a focus on strategic enforcement of wage and hour laws in high violation industries. We will leverage that partnership to ensure that labor laws are enforced effectively during the FIFA World Cup 26TM. As we head into the FWC26, our agencies will provide a coordinated, rapid, and effective response to any labor complaints that arise. We will address complaints received from workers, ensure complaints are routed correctly, and work collaboratively on enforcement in high violation industries.
OLS is also leading its strategic compliance campaign “Protecting Worker Rights is Our Goal” with multilingual worker education, business education, and expanded employer trainings to promote compliance with Seattle’s labor standards and empower workers with the knowledge of their workplace protections…