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OPA News Release: [05/18/2006]
Contact Name: Kristin Wilson
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Release Number:
06-0878-NAT
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Delivers Remarks at the 2006 Media Summit of the National Association of Hispanic Publishers
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao highlighted the administration's Hispanic initiatives and economic achievements and discussed immigration reform at the 2006 Media Summit of the National Association of Hispanic Publishers (NAHP) held today at the National Press Club. The secretary also addressed many of the issues that are important to America's Hispanic community, including education and job opportunities.
"This administration launched the Hispanic Worker Initiative to improve Hispanic workers' safety through collaborative efforts with employers, unions, and community organizations. This Hispanic Worker Initiative also helps to provide Hispanic workers with skills training in high growth industries. And, for those workers who may have language difficulties, we also offer help in increased language proficiency programs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The Department of Labor also hosts an annual Opportunity Conference to help traditionally underserved communities, including Hispanics, benefit from better access to emerging opportunities."
Secretary Chao also focused on the department's enforcement of the nation's labor laws, and the ongoing outreach into Hispanic and Latino communities, including the hiring of more Spanish-speaking enforcement officers, and wide distribution of information about health, safety and wages in Spanish.
"The goal is to ensure that all workers, especially vulnerable immigrants, know their rights under our nation's labor laws," said Chao. "We have recovered record back wages due vulnerable immigrants. OSHA's initiatives to protect Hispanic workers through outreach and targeted enforcement in industries such as construction have led to a 12.5% drop in fatalities among Hispanic workers since 2001."
Last year, the department recovered a record amount for workers who had been subjected to unlawful employment discrimination — more than $45 million. The department has also targeted enforcement of the nation's wage and hour laws on low-wage industries that often employ large numbers of vulnerable immigrants. As a result, the department has recovered record back wages for immigrant workers.
Following on the president's address to the nation on Monday night, Chao spoke with the members of the NAHP on the topic of immigration. She outlined the major themes of the president's proposal for comprehensive immigration reform, which includes securing the border, strengthening enforcement and creating a temporary worker program. She said the president's plan will ensure the country has an immigration system that meets 21st century demands.
"Securing our borders is a basic responsibility of our nation and an urgent requirement for national security," she said. "At the same time, we are a nation that has welcomed immigrants and benefited from their contributions. So the president's plan includes a guest worker program that will create a legal path for foreign workers seeking opportunity."
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