Search Results for agency_names:"Employment and Training Administration"

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration is asking for public comments on extending permission to collect information about unemployment claims and benefits. They want feedback by May 12, 2025. The aim is to reduce paperwork and the burden on respondents, in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act. The data from this collection helps track economic indicators, and they seek to ensure it is collected efficiently and effectively. Interested parties are encouraged to comment but should avoid sharing sensitive personal information.

The Department of Labor has announced the ratification of a rule from 2010 regarding the employment of temporary agricultural workers, also known as H-2A workers, in the United States. This rule was initially developed to improve application procedures, protect workers, and ensure program integrity. There were concerns raised in court about the rule's approval process, but recent actions confirmed its validity, ensuring that U.S. workers' wages and working conditions are not negatively impacted. This ratification serves to clear any doubts and confirm the legal standing of the rule.

The Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor has announced a change in the period of eligibility for Delaware under the Extended Benefit (EB) program. Delaware's unemployment rate fell below the required 6.5%, leading to the termination of the EB payable period on January 9, 2021. The notice informs potential EB claimants about their rights and advises them to contact their State Workforce Agency if they believe they are entitled to benefits or have questions. For additional information, individuals can reach out to the Employment and Training Administration’s Office of Unemployment Insurance.

The Department of Labor issued a notice about FUTA credit reductions for 2024. Employers in California and New York will face a 0.9% reduction because they didn't repay their loans timely. Connecticut managed to repay its advances, avoiding any reductions. The US Virgin Islands applied for, and received, a waiver of additional reductions, but will still face a 4.2% reduction due to long-term outstanding advances.

The U.S. Department of Labor is updating the civil monetary penalties it can impose, based on inflation, as part of the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. This requires an annual review and adjustment of penalty amounts to ensure they keep pace with inflation. These updates are set to take effect on January 15, 2021, and apply to penalties assessed after this date. Different divisions within the Department, such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Mine Safety and Health Administration, are involved in overseeing these changes, which aim to maintain their deterrent effect.

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is requesting public comments on extending the use of several forms related to the H-2A visa program. This program allows U.S. agricultural employers to hire temporary foreign workers when no qualified U.S. workers are available. The forms in question help ensure that the hiring of foreign workers does not negatively impact wages or working conditions for U.S. workers. Comments on the proposed extension are encouraged and should be submitted by February 10, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is extending the authority to conduct the Unemployment Insurance Data Validation Program. They are seeking public comments on this information collection to reduce paperwork and improve data accuracy as per the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. States must validate unemployment insurance data to ensure correct and verified reporting and may need to conduct the validation process every three years or sooner under certain conditions. Comments from the public are encouraged to assess the necessity, accuracy, and impact of this data collection.

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration is requesting public comments on continuing an information collection effort known as the "Benefit Rights and Experience Report." This effort aims to reduce paperwork and financial burden as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The report gathers data on unemployment insurance applicants, such as their previous earnings and eligibility for benefits. Interested parties can provide feedback on how necessary or accurate this data collection is, and comments should mention the OMB control number 1205-0177.

In this final rule, the Department of Labor revises the way it calculates prevailing wage levels for alien workers in the U.S. to ensure wages align more accurately with those of U.S. workers with similar skills. This change applies to H1-B, H1-B1, and E-3 visa programs as well as certain immigrant visa categories. The rule lowers the previous wage level estimates, transitioning over a phased implementation period, to better protect U.S. worker job opportunities by eliminating financial incentives for using lower-paid foreign labor over similarly capable American workers. The rule also provides steps to ensure a smooth transition to these new wage levels.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have jointly proposed a new rule seeking public input on extending the Secretary of Labor's review system to specific temporary labor certification cases. This rule will allow the Secretary of Labor to review decisions related to H-2B temporary labor certifications made by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals and the Department of Labor's Administrative Review Board. The proposal includes updates to existing regulations and aims to maintain efficient handling of cases without notable disruption. The departments are encouraging public comments on this proposed rule to ensure informed decision-making.