Shining a light on forced labor and child labor around the world

To help combat labor exploitation, we released updated tools and reports this week containing actionable data and recommendations.

• View our new reports on labor exploitation
• Read a blog post by Deputy Undersecretary Thea Lee

Expanding access to recovery services and supporting recovery-ready workplaces

Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh spoke at the White House Recovery Month Summit, where the administration announced $1.5 billion in funding to address the opioid epidemic and support recovery, a critical component of the presidents strategy to beat the crisis. Secretary Walsh addressed the importance of breaking stigma around addiction, supporting people in recovery, and providing access to new tools that can help address substance use disorder.

• Explore our new resource to help employers create recovery-ready workplaces
• View a White House readout from the summit

Grants to help Americas workers

We awarded more than $200 million in grants this week, including:

• Nearly $199 million in Disaster Recovery grants for jobs in infrastructure, environment and climate, the care economy and other critical and growing sectors
• $4.5 million to support clean-up and recovery after western Oregons 2020 wildfires
• Nearly $2 million to help low-wage-earning women understand and exercise their employment rights and benefits

$9.3 million judgment will restore wages to misclassified workers

We have obtained a consent judgment that will recover $9.3 million in back wages and damages for 1,756 employees of a Philadelphia healthcare staffing company that misclassified them and willfully denied their hard-earned overtime pay.

Miner health matters

A new Mine Safety and Health Administration initiative will help educate coal miners with pneumoconiosis about their rights to work in healthier parts of the mine without fear of retaliation.

Upcoming event will address benefits of fair scheduling for workers and businesses

On Oct. 6, Secretary Walsh will join Rep. Rosa DeLauro, researchers, workers and business owners for a conversation about scheduling flexibility for hourly and frontline workers, its impact on job quality, and solutions for fair scheduling practices that improve workers lives and economic stability, and business outcomes for employers. Register to attend the event in Washington, D.C.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Storm recovery

If you or someone you know was impacted by Hurricane Ian or severe storms, we have resources that can help.

Black lung funding extended

With the Inflation Reduction Acts permanent extension of the coal excise tax, coal miners and their families can rest assured that their benefits are not in jeopardy.

A new path for apprenticeship

We're rescinding the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program to refocus on the proven Registered Apprenticeship model.

Gaylord Opryland settlement

A Nashville resort and conference center will pay $630,722 in back wages and interest to resolve allegations of discrimination against Black, Asian and female housekeeping applicants.

Supporting veterans

VETS Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program long-standing grantee, Harbor Care, is on a mission to end veteran housing insecurity in New Hampshire.

Overtime recovered

We recovered $352,347 for 653 workers of a Michigan staffing agency that misclassified them as independent contractors.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

Because of @POTUS's leadership, more Americans are working than at any point in American history, manufacturing is booming, and gas prices have declined for 14 straight weeks.

-@SecMartyWalsh