Report Specified Under the Trade and Development Act

WASHINGTON—The Labor Department today released its second annual report on the worst forms of child labor in 146 countries and territories that receive U.S. trade benefits.

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Washington, DC  - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has proposed a class exemption to create a level playing field between corporate real estate investment trusts (REITs) and trust REITs.

WASHINGTON—Two grant solicitations were published in the May 29, 2003 Federal Register by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced today.

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Newark, New Jersey - The U.S. Department of Labor obtained a consent judgment and order on May 23, 2003 appointing an independent trustee to terminate the Coastal Copy Systems, Inc. 401(k) plan and distribute approximately $30,000 in plan assets to 16 participants.

WASHINGTON—More than 260 college students and recent graduates with disabilities have been placed in summer and permanent jobs since the Labor Department’s Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) was announced in April, U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao said today.

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South Bend, Indiana - The U.S. Department of Labor obtained a consent order and judgment on May 20, 2003, in which the trustees of the pension and welfare plans of Local 1969 of the International Longshoremen’s Association of Portage, Indiana agreed to restore $497,225.83 to the plans, resign their positions and be permanently barred from serving employee benefit plan governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

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Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced proposed rules clarifying the requirements for notices under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for employees, employers and plan administrators. The proposal provides guidance and model notices for workers and family members to continue their group health care coverage.

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WASHINGTON—Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao has selected “America Works Best When All Americans Work” as the official theme for October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

“The theme, America Works Best When All Americans Work, emphasizes the Bush Administration’s position of economic opportunity through job creation,” said Chao. “It also builds upon the accomplishments of the President’s New Freedom Initiative which has created opportunities for persons with disabilities to be fully integrated into the 21st Century workforce.”

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Washington, DC - Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao will meet with the Advisory Council of Employee Welfare and Pension Plans on May 9, 2003 to swear in the Council’s new members and discuss ways to improve the retirement security and health coverage of America’s workers.

Announces $13 Million U.S. Initiative on Prevention and Rehabilitation

WASHINGTON—U.S. and foreign officials gathered here today for a two-day conference at the invitation of Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao to take action to eliminate the use of child soldiers and to rehabilitate those caught in such forced recruitment. Chao announced a $13 million initiative to support programs to counter the problem and to help former child soldiers rebuild their lives.