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News Release

ICYMI: U.S. Department of Labor Acts to Help American Workers And Employers During the Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor took a range of actions to aid American workers and employers as our nation combats the coronavirus pandemic.

Reopening America’s Economy:

  • Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia on the August Jobs Report – “Today’s jobs report is encouraging news for American workers heading into Labor Day. The report significantly beat expectations, with the unemployment rate dropping to 8.4 percent even as more Americans entered the labor force. Unemployment fell across all demographics, and the 1.4 million jobs added showed increases across most industry sectors. This follows a string of other reports showing a strong recovery underway. The Administration remains focused on returning millions more Americans to work, and providing additional support to the unemployed through the Lost Wages Assistance Program authorized by the President when Congress failed to act on enhanced unemployment benefits.” Secretary Scalia also joined Fox News, Fox Business and CNN to discuss the report.

Defending Workers’ Rights to Paid Leave and Wages Earned:

  • U.S. Department of Labor Offers Webinar for Ohio Employers – The Wage and Hour Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration presented a webinar for Ohio area employers and human resources professionals on the paid leave requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and safety guidance for returning to work and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Labor is focused on protecting the safety and health of American workers, assisting our state partners as they deliver traditional unemployment and expanded unemployment benefits, ensuring Americans know their rights to new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, providing guidance and assistance to employers, and carrying out the mission of the Department.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

Agency
Office of the Secretary
Date
September 6, 2020
Release Number
20-1711-NAT
Media Contact: Department of Labor National Contact Center
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