ILAB - Frequently Asked Questions (OFR)

Frequently Asked Questions (OFR)

Q:	Where can I find information on labor laws and labor conditions in other countries?
A:	OFR publishes a series of reports titled the Foreign Labor Trends Report that summarizes labor-related information on over 100 countries, including key labor indicators, a history and description of the labor sector, and a listing of labor organizations. Research for these reports is conducted on an on-going basis, and OFR updates the reports periodically. For a copy of the most recent version of the Foreign Labor Trends Report for a specific country, please call OFR at its main phone number: (202) 693-4785. In addition, there are a number of research organizations, universities, law schools, U.N. agencies, non-governmental organizations, trade unions, and human rights organizations that research and publish information on labor conditions around the world. The International Labor Organization (ILO) in particular maintains databases on countries' labor laws (NATLEX) and labor statistics. Many of these resources are easily accessible via the World Wide Web.
Q:	How can I arrange a visit with the U.S. Department of Labor? Can I receive funding to participate in USDOL's International Visitors Program?
A:	If you plan to visit the U.S. from another country and would like to learn about USDOL and its functions, OFR's International Visitors Program would be pleased to arrange meetings for you. Meeting may be arranged with a variety of offices such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or Mine Safety and Health Administration. Unfortunately, USDOL is unable to provide any kind of funding to those who wish to take advantage of our International Visitors Program. Most of those who participate in the International Visitors Program are funded by their home organization or obtain a fellowship from a funding organization, such as a foundation.
Q:	What is OFR's labor monitoring program? Does the U.S. Department of Labor monitor U.S. companies overseas for working conditions?
A:	In Fiscal Year (FY) 2001, Congress appropriated $5 million for "labor monitoring" that directed ILAB to develop information on enforcement of labor laws around the world and to establish a system for monitoring labor standards. The FY2002 appropriations included an additional $5 million for ILAB to build its permanent capacity to monitor and report regularly and in-depth to the Congress on the extent to which countries with which the U.S. has trade and investment agreements effectively promote internationally recognized worker rights. This labor monitoring program is not targeted at U.S. companies operating overseas, and USDOL does not investigate or monitor U.S. companies that are working in other countries. In FY2001, ILAB awarded a contract to the National Academy of Sciences to develop baseline data and a permanent and sustainable information system for monitoring labor standards that would strengthen ILAB's capacity to research and collect information on foreign countries' progress toward implementing international standards. We have also posted Labor Attachés through a labor exchange program with the State Department in countries determined to have significant problems with respect to child labor and other core labor standards.
Q:	What is the role of a Labor Attaché?
A:	Labor Attachés are Foreign Service Officers whose primary area of responsibility is labor. They represent and advocate for U.S. Government policies with respect to international labor issues and research and report on labor conditions in their country(s) of responsibility. Labor Attachés are often USDOL's primary point of contact with the U.S. Embassy in a given country, and OFR works closely with Labor Attachés to research working conditions, oversee technical cooperation projects, and advance the U.S. Government's foreign policy agenda.
Q:	What is USDOL's International Technical Cooperation Program?
A:	Congress has provided USDOL with funding to create, support, and implement labor-related projects around the world, many of which are currently managed by OFR. These projects promote the application of core labor standards and strive to improve the welfare of workers through the development and strengthening of social safety net programs. USDOL also funds a workplace-based HIV/AIDS education and prevention program. To date, Congress has provided a total of $127 million in funding, which has gone to create and support 59 projects in 55 countries across the globe.
Q:	How did the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) get involved in international technical cooperation projects?
A:	USDOL began its international efforts in 1950 when the Department trained German unionists to assist with European reconstruction. Since then, USDOL has regularly worked with donor organizations such as the World Bank and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as well as host country governments to provide labor-related technical assistance. Past assistance provided by USDOL include efforts to strengthen the capacity of the South Africa Department of Labor to strengthen implementation of its post-apartheid Employment Equity Act, worker adjustment projects in Central and Eastern Europe, and improving labor market information systems in Egypt. Congress appropriated funds for international projects directly to USDOL for the first time in Fiscal Year (FY) 2000. The goal was to support the promotion of core labor standards and to improve the welfare of workers through the strengthening of social safety net programs. These programs were funded at a total level of $30 million ($20 million for promoting core labor standards and $10 million for strengthening social safety net programs). In FY2001, Congress increased funding to $40 million for these two programs ($20 million each) and added funding for a new initiative to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS through workplace-based education ($10 million). In FY2002, funding totaled $47 million ($20 million for promoting core labor standards, $17 million for strengthening social safety net programs, and $10 million for HIV/AIDS).
Q:	What have these International Technical Cooperation projects accomplished so far?
A:	The objectives of USDOL's International Technical Cooperation Program is to: 1) improve economic opportunities and income security for workers, 2) protect the basic rights of workers, and 3) combat the spread of HIV/AIDS through workplace-based education and prevention programs. Through these objectives, USDOL hopes to contribute to the to improvement of living standards and conditions of work for people around the world. USDOL is funding projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (total funds - $17.8 million), the Americas (total funds - $19.3 million), Central and Eastern Europe (total funds - $10.2 million), and Near East/Asia (total funds - $22.5 million) as well as a number of projects with a more global scope, and OFR is currently working on obligating FY2002 project funds. The objectives of these projects vary widely and include: Reducing forced and bonded labor Making coal mines safer Improving industrial relations Developing employment offices Reducing employment discrimination Reforming pension systems USDOL's International Technical Cooperation Program began just two years ago, first receiving funding in FY2000. Given the relative newness of the program, the projects have not yet generated enough significant information to truly assess the success of the program. OFR is currently in the process of collecting the first set of data that will help measure and track the impact of the Technical Cooperation Program - the collection process should be complete by the end of September 2002.
Q:	Why is the U.S. Department of Labor funding labor projects in other countries?
A:	Engaging in and increasing international trade enhances the global economy and helps foster economic growth, raise living standards, and promote employment in the U.S. And in today's environment of widespread market reforms and economic integration, efficient and fair labor markets are a prerequisite for economic growth. As political developments, market reforms, and the transition to a global economy bring significant changes to national economies, individual labor market systems need to change accordingly to remain viable and to support their populations. In addition, the inability to manage the development of a relatively open market economy during periods of political and social transition serves as an impediment to the development of political democracy, social cohesion, and equity. USDOL's International Technical Cooperation program helps address some of these difficulties by working to ensure that the greatest possible number of workers benefit from a more open world economy. The expansion of global trade and investment and the improvement of labor standards for workers are best understood as mutually reinforcing, and not mutually exclusive objectives.
Q:	How are OFR's technical cooperation projects implemented?
A:	Once agreement has been reached on where to target funding and for what kind of project, OFR staff work closely with the host country partners (government, employer organizations, and worker organizations) to set the objectives of the project and to define the respective roles of OFR and the relevant stakeholders in managing and implementing the project. Actual implementation of project activities is done by a variety of entities - other USDOL agencies with relevant technical expertise (such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration), other U.S. Government agencies (such as the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service), and a variety of consultants, non-governmental organizations, and firms that are awarded contracts or grants by OFR.
Q:	How can my organization apply for project funding?
A:	USDOL does not fund unsolicited grant applications or project proposals. When a final decision is made on where to target assistance and the type of project that will be funded, OFR publishes a Solicitation for Grant Applications (SGA) or Request for Proposals (RFP) in the Federal Register Notice.