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ETA News Release: [09/19/2005]
Contact Name: David James
Phone Number: 202-693-4676
Release Number: 05-1747-NAT

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Regulatory Relief Advisory for Katrina-Impacted States

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced regulatory relief options available to states involved in the delivery of re-employment services to residents left without a job by Hurricane Katrina. In an advisory sent to state workforce agency leaders, the Department outlined a defined set of options permitted under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

“To help hurricane survivors reclaim their lives as quickly as possible, we want to do everything we can to expedite the delivery of reemployment services,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "We are working closely with impacted states to encourage creative solutions at the state and local levels to be as responsive as possible to workers' needs.”

Current law spells out circumstances under which the Secretary may waive certain statutory and regulatory requirements. States also may submit workforce flexibility (work-flex) plans to waive requirements that apply to local areas.

“While the flexibility is more limited than we want, the U.S. Department of Labor wants to ensure that state officials know the provisions available to assist them during this challenging time,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “To the extent current law permits, we are equipping state officials with the tools and resources they need while allowing them to customize solutions for the unique situations found in affected areas and host states.”

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration also has created an online link for finding employment at either http://www.jobsearch.org/katrinajobs or through America's Job Bank at www.ajb.org. For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, please visit www.doleta.gov.