PROCUREMENT
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PREVENTING TRAFFICKING BY UPDATING PROCUREMENT POLICIES
The Problem
Procurement is the process government agencies use to purchase the goods and services they need to operate, including construction projects, cleaning services, food, uniforms, technology, transportation, and event-related services. Because local and state governments spend billions of dollars each year through public contracts, procurement policies play a powerful role in shaping labor practices. When governments set clear standards and choose responsible companies, they can help ensure that public funds do not support exploitation or human trafficking.
Despite this leverage, procurement policies in California and Los Angeles do not consistently require contractors and subcontractors to follow strong anti-trafficking standards. Gaps between local, state, and federal requirements mean that many publicly funded projects lack basic worker protections, particularly for immigrants, day laborers, and workers in low-wage, high-risk industries such as construction, cleaning, landscaping, and event staffing. As Los Angeles prepares for large-scale events like the World Cup and the Olympic Games, accelerated contracting timelines and increased demand for temporary labor make these vulnerabilities even more urgent, underscoring the need for proactive, enforceable safeguards.
Our Goal
Our goal is to strengthen state and local procurement policies to ensure that public funds do not support exploitation or trafficking. Through our advocacy, we seek to:
- Align Los Angeles City and County procurement policies with federal anti-trafficking standards.
- Require contractors and subcontractors to adopt clear anti-trafficking policies and training.
- Promote transparency and accountability in public purchasing and contracting.
- Ensure high-risk industries—such as construction, hospitality, cleaning, and event staffing—are included in monitoring and oversight.
- Build consistent, survivor-informed safeguards into procurement systems ahead of major global events hosted in Los Angeles.
The Impact
Strengthening procurement policies would:
- Prevent public money from supporting companies that engage in exploitation or trafficking.
- Reduce worker vulnerabilities by setting clear, enforceable labor standards.
- Improve transparency in supply chains and subcontracting networks.
- Promote ethical business practices among vendors seeking government contracts.
- Create a model for other jurisdictions seeking to strengthen anti-trafficking protections.
Updating procurement policies is a simple, proactive step that protects workers and ensures public contracts reflect community values.
EXPLORE THE ISSUE
White Paper: The Need to Update LA County Procurement Policy
| CITY OF LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES COUNTY | |
|---|---|---|
| Fact Sheets | LA City Procurement Policies |
LA County Procurement Policies High-Risk Contracted Goods in LA County |
| Sample Motions | LA City Motion on Procurement Policy | LA County Motion on Procurement Policy |
STATE ADVOCACY
AB 1245: Preventing Trafficking Through Procurement
AB 1245 would help ensure taxpayer dollars are not spent on goods connected to forced labor, child labor, or exploitation. The bill would require certain state contractors and subcontractors to have policies in place to prevent trafficking and exploitation in their supply chains and to take action if concerns are identified.
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