News Release

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ESA News Release: [10/08/2008]
Contact Name: Dolline Hatchett
Phone Number: (202) 693-4651
Release Number: 08-1405-NAT

U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division reopens Houston office to assist victims of Hurricane Ike

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has announced the reopening of its Houston District Office to assist employees and employers in the communities affected by Hurricane Ike with wage-related issues.

The Houston office was closed because of wind and rain damage as a result of Hurricane Ike. During that period, the work normally performed out of the division's Houston office was handled by its San Antonio District Office.

"We are pleased that the Houston District Office has reopened. We can now increase staff in the area to respond to inquiries, provide compliance assistance and boost enforcement as the recovery efforts get underway," said Cynthia Watson, regional administrator for the Wage and Hour Division in the Southwest.

The Wage and Hour Division office in Houston can be reached at:

Address:
U.S. Department of Labor
Houston District Office, South Building
8701 South Gessner, Suite 1164
Houston, Texas 77074

Telephone:
713-339-5500

The Wage and Hour Division enforces a variety of worker protection laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) and the Service Contract Act (SCA). The FLSA requires employers to pay covered, nonexempt employees no less than the federal minimum wage for each hour actually worked, and overtime at one and one-half times an employee's regular rate of pay for all hours actually worked in excess of 40 in a week. The DBA and SCA require the payment of locally prevailing wages on government contracts.

The Wage and Hour Division is distributing public service announcements and fact sheets to increase awareness about the labor laws enforced by the division and their application during natural disasters. Copies of announcements in English and Spanish are available from the Houston office and also can be found at http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/resources/WHDCanHelp.htm. Employees, employers and the general public can also call the agency's toll-free information number at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243) or review the material on the Wage and Hour Division's Web site at www.wagehour.dol.gov for additional information.