Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

Printer-Friendly Version

Press Releases

CHICAGO -- Businesses in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods of Chicago will be visited on Tuesday, March 11, by representatives from four government agencies in an effort to increase awareness of federal and state laws governing the workplace, the U.S. Labor Department announced today.

Agencies from the federal Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will join with representatives from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Illinois Department of Labor to canvass employers in Pilsen, Little Village and Back of the Yards neighborhoods to assist them in complying with federal and state laws. Government representatives will provide information on laws covering the workplace.

The agencies are part of the Chicago Area Workers' Rights Initiative (CAWRI), a coalition that includes area community, labor, and faith-based organizations that seek to assist low-wage workers.

"This day-long effort will not be an enforcement campaign," explained Wage and Hour Division Acting Regional Administrator Jerry Hall. "Many violations of workers' legal protections stem from a lack of knowledge, and we believe we can achieve a great deal through voluntary compliance with the law."

###

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.