(a) The Secretary, either pursuant to a complaint or otherwise,
shall, as may be appropriate, investigate and, in connection therewith,
enter and inspect such places (including housing and vehicles) and such
records (and make transcriptions thereof), question such persons and
gather such information as he deems necessary to determine compliance
with the Act, or these regulations.
(b) The Secretary may issue subpenas requiring the attendance and
testimony of witnesses or the production of any evidence in connection
with such investigations. The Secretary may administer oaths, examine
witnesses, and receive evidence. For the purpose of any hearing or
investigation provided for in the Act, the Authority contained in
sections 9 and 10 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 49,
50), relating to the attendance of witnesses and the production of
books, papers, and documents, shall be available to the Secretary. The
Secretary shall conduct investigations in a manner which protects the
confidentiality of any complainant or other party who provides
information to the Secretary in good faith.
(c) Any person may report a violation of the Act or these
regulations to the Secretary by advising any local office of the
Employment Service of the various States, or any office of the Wage and
Hour Division, Employment Standards Administration, U.S. Department of
Labor, or any other authorized representative of the Administrator. The
office or person receiving such a report shall refer it to the
appropriate office of the Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards
Administration for the region or area in which the reported violation is
alleged to have occurred.
(d) In case of disobedience to a subpena, the Secretary may invoke
the aid of a United States District Court which is authorized to issue
an order requiring the person to obey such subpena.
