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Release Number: 12-1769-NAT
Aug. 27, 2012
Contact: Gloria Della     Mary Brandenberger
Phone: 202-693-4679     202-693-4651
Email: della.gloria.d@dol.gov    Brandenberger.mary@dol.gov

Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on Labor Rights Week 2012

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement in recognition of Labor Rights Week, Aug. 27-31:

"This year's theme, 'Promoting Labor Rights is Everyone's Responsibility,' underscores the importance of partnerships between the Labor Department and other countries to educate migrant workers and their employers about U.S. labor laws.

"Making America's workplaces safe and fair for everyone is the hallmark of Labor Rights Week. We're committed to ensuring that workers are safe on the job and paid what they're owed by law. This means no one can be paid less than $7.25 an hour. It means overtime must be paid for each hour above 40 a week. And it means that employers must provide a safe workplace."

The department's Wage and Hour Division, which enforces federal laws governing a minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor and the rights of migrant workers, and the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is principally concerned with protecting workers from hazards on the job, are participating in Labor Rights Week events throughout the nation this week.

A video message from Secretary Solis about Labor Rights Week is available at http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/20120808-laborrights/index-english.htm. More information about Labor Department programs that protect migrant workers can be found at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/highlights/if-20120611.htm.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.