Proposal For Shorter Workweek in California Sparks Debate

A bill in the state legislature aims to cut some Californians' workweek down to 32 hours from the usual 40. The proposed legislation would apply to companies in the state with more than 500 employees. At the national level, similar legislation has been introduced by Riverside County Congressman Mark Takano.  Guest: Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, Writer and Head of Global Programs for 4 Day Week Global The California Chamber of Commerce has called the proposal to shorten the workweek in California a job killer, arguing it will drastically increase labor costs for businesses. The chamber says it could also result in major job cuts and larger companies deciding not to expand in the state. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report Amazon’s warehouse workers are getting injured twice as often as workers at other warehouses across the country. And in California, the rates are even higher. That’s according to a new study out from a labor union coalition based in the Inland Empire.  Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED  California has tough new penalties on the books regarding wage theft. That’s when employers don’t pay workers what they’re actually owed. And, a state hearing on alleged wage theft at six Burger King franchises in San Francisco has started this week. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED With the rise in anti-Asian violence across the country has come a push to fight racism, through education. Many Asian American teachers in Southern California are using the moment to get their history into more schools. Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices