News Release

Printer-Friendly Version

OPA News Release: [07/27/2005]
Contact Name: Beto Gonzalez or Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Release Number: 05-0900-NAT

Labor Department Offers New Spanish-Language Compliance Assistance Resources

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of two Spanish-language compliance assistance resources designed to help members of the Hispanic community understand and comply with federal employment laws and regulations.

"Hispanic-owned businesses are a significant force in our growing economy," said Veronica Vargas Stidvent, assistant secretary of labor for policy. "These new resources help clarify employers' responsibilities under federal employment laws and workplace regulations. They also identify where additional information can be obtained to answer compliance questions."

The newly translated materials include a Frequently Asked Questions document that answers common queries about the Secretary of Labor's Compliance Assistance Initiative, such as “Why did the Department launch the Initiative?” and “What specific compliance assistance tools are available?” The other document, entitled Help from DOL, is a series of 14 ready-to-use news briefs about widely available compliance assistance tools. The Department encourages Hispanic outreach organizations to use these ready-to-publish Spanish-language articles in their newsletters, member e-mails and other communication channels.

The new documents enhance DOL's existing collection of educational Spanish-language compliance assistance materials. Available online at www.dol.gov/compliance/news/spanish.htm, these free, downloadable publications include compliance assistance brochures, fact sheets and a translated version of DOL's Employment Law Guide. The materials promote valuable compliance assistance resources such as DOL's Toll-Free Help Line, the www.dol.gov/compliance Web site and the elaws Advisors — interactive online tools that help employers and employees understand their rights and responsibilities under DOL employment laws.

Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao established DOL's Compliance Assistance Initiative in June 2002. A complement to enforcement, the effort aims to protect the wages, health benefits, retirement security, safety and health of America's workforce by preventing employment law violations.

Lea este communicado de prensa en español