Search Results for agency_names:"Employment and Training Administration"

The U.S. Department of Labor has introduced a new rule requiring most legal representatives to file documents electronically and accept electronic service in cases before the Administrative Review Board (ARB), unless given an exemption for a good reason. This rule aims to streamline procedures and reduce reliance on paper documents by establishing a new set of rules for filing and service. Self-represented individuals will, however, have the option to file either electronically or conventionally. The rule is expected to make the process more efficient and aligns with practices used in federal courts.

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration decided to withdraw a proposed rule that aimed to revise regulations related to the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937. This proposed rule, initially published in January 2024, sought to enhance the quality and equity of registered apprenticeship programs. The withdrawal follows extensive feedback from over 2,000 stakeholders who highlighted the need for further discussion and refinement of proposed changes. The Department plans to continue engaging with interested parties to consider potential future enhancements before introducing a new proposal.

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration is asking for public comments on extending the authority for the Tax Performance System (TPS) information collection, as part of their efforts to reduce paperwork. This information helps assess the performance of unemployment insurance tax programs and the burden on respondents. The public can submit comments by March 23, 2021, which will be considered before the final approval of the collection process. The TPS aims to ensure data is collected efficiently and accurately, evaluating the necessity and quality of this collection, while minimizing the burden on state workforce agencies.

The Department of Labor has confirmed and ratified a rule that was originally published on October 16, 2015, concerning the temporary employment of H-2A foreign workers in the herding and production of livestock on U.S. ranges. This ratification is being issued to eliminate any uncertainty about the rule's legality and ensure it complies with the Secretary of Labor's responsibility to protect U.S. workers' job opportunities and wages. The rule sets standards for hiring foreign labor for agricultural tasks in remote areas where workers must be available for long periods. Despite this confirmation, the validity of the rule can still be legally challenged.

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 Homeland Security and the Department of Labor have issued a rule to expand the discretionary review authority of the Secretary of Labor to include certain H-2B temporary labor certification cases. This rule allows the Secretary to review cases that are pending before or have been decided by the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA). The rule is part of a broader effort to ensure that internal processes are properly supervised by the Secretary and is expected to be used mainly for cases of notable importance. Public comments are encouraged, but significant adverse comments could halt the rule's implementation.

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.

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 Department of Labor has announced that its Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training has officially confirmed and approved (or "ratified") a rule concerning temporary and seasonal work needs for herding and livestock production under the H-2A Program. This rule, originally published in December 2021, outlines the process for employers requesting such labor needs. Despite some legal questions, the rule has been confirmed valid after a review. The Assistant Secretary emphasized that this move is just a precaution and doesn’t imply any legal issues with the rule's initial approval or publication.

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.