[Federal Register: October 7, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 195)]
[Notices]               
[Page 58667-58668]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07oc08-110]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Standards Administration

 
Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection 
Requirements

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposal to extend OMB approval of the 
information collection: Employment of Apprentices, Messengers and 
Learners (Including Student-Learners and Student-Workers), Forms WH-205 
and WH-209. A copy of the proposed information collection request can 
be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES 
section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before December 8, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, E-mail bell.hazel@dol.gov. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or E-
mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    I. Background: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) section 14(a) 
requires that the Secretary of Labor, to the extent necessary to 
prevent curtailment of employment opportunities, provide by regulations 
or orders for the employment of categories of workers who, under 
special certificates, may be paid less than the generally applicable 
minimum wage set by section 6(a)(1) of the FLSA. 29 U.S.C. 206(a), 
214(a); see also 29 CFR 520.200. This section also authorizes the 
Secretary to set limitations on such employment as to time, number, 
proportion, and length of service. 29 U.S.C. 214(a). These workers

[[Page 58668]]

include apprentices, messengers, and learners (including student-
learners and student-workers). 29 CFR 520.200. Regulations found at 29 
CFR Part 520 contain the provisions that implement the section 14(a) 
requirements. Form WH-205 is the application an employer uses to obtain 
a certificate to employ student-learners at wages lower than the 
general federal minimum wage. Form WH-209 is the application an 
employer uses to request a certificate authorizing the employer to 
employ learners and/or messengers at subminimum wage rates. There is no 
application form that employers complete to obtain authority from DOL 
to employ apprentices at subminimum wages. This information collection 
is currently approved for use through April 30, 2009.
    II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor is particularly 
interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
    III. Current Actions: The Department of Labor seeks the approval 
for the extension of this currently approved information collection in 
order to carry out its responsibility under the special minimum wage 
program.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    AGENCY: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Employment of Apprentices, Messengers, and Learners 
(Including Student-Learners and Student-Workers).
    OMB Number: 1215-0192.
    Agency Number: WH-205 and WH-209.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Total Respondents: 700.
    Total Annual Responses: 700.
    Type of Response: Recordkeeping: Reporting.
    Estimated Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 350.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $315.00. Comments 
submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included 
in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the 
information collection request; they will also become a matter of 
public record.

    Dated: October 2, 2008.
Hazel M. Bell,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-23639 Filed 10-6-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-27-P