Subcommittee on Workforce Protections

As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, I am constantly working to ensure that everyone has safe workplaces and that their employment rights are protected.  Under the Committee on Education and Workforce, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections holds jurisdiction over a wide scope of laws and agencies that affect employment in this country: workplace safety, wage and compensation for hours worked, workers compensation for injuries and leaves of absence.  A full list of the laws which the subcommittee has jurisdiction over can be found here.

The Subcommittee provides oversight over several parts of the U.S. Department of Labor, the largest are listed below:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA’s mission is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for employees across the United States.  OSHA has the power to set enforcement standards and provide outreach, training, education, and other assistance to employers and employees to ensure laws are being complied with.

Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 created MSHA with the mission of preventing disease, injury and death among miners and promoting policies to ensure safe and healthy workplaces exist for our nation’s miners.

Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor (WHD)
In 1938 the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) became law and created the WHD inside the Department of Labor.  The WHD enforces Federal minimum wage laws and overtime pay.  It also oversees a wide array of employment compensation laws such as the Family Medical Leave Act as well as Davis Bacon prevailing wage.  

This year the Subcommittee has been very active in the 112^thCongress; to view information on all of the issues we have examined in our committee, please click here. 

LETTERS

10/05/2012 - Committee Expands Oversight of Administration’s Controversial WARN Act Guidance
09/24/2012 - Committee Demands Response to Previous Request on WARN Act "Guidance"
08/02/2012 - Committee Leaders Request Information on WARN Act and Sequestration
02/17/2012 - Education and the Workforce Committee Request Information on Proposed Farm Labor Rule
08/18/2011 - Letter to OSHA on Crystalline Silica Standards
07/08/2011 - Kline and Walberg Letter to GAO Requesting Review of OSHA
07/08/2011 - Committee Leaders Request GAO Review of FECA Reform Proposals
06/06/2011 - Letter to MSHA on Respirable Coal Dust
03/23/2011 - Rep. Walberg and Rep. Roe Letter to Labor Secretary Solis

RELATED ITEMS

11/12/2012 - Press Release: House Passes Bill to Increase Claims Processing Efficiency Under Davis-Bacon Act
06/28/2012 - Press Release: Subcommittee Hearing Discusses Voluntary Protection Programs and Workplace Safety
06/19/2012 - Press Release: Rep. Walberg Introduces Legislation to Help Ensure Elderly and Individuals with Disabilities Maintain Access to Affordable, Quality Companion Care
03/20/2012 - Press Release: Subcommittee Hearing Determines Labor Department Regulation Will Increase Costs, Restrict Access to Companion Care
02/23/2012 - Opinion Editorial: More bad news for U.S. Workers, Businesses from OSHA
03/20/2012 - Press Release: Labor Department Regulation Will Increase Costs, Restrict Access to Companion Care  
11/03/2011 - Press Release: Subcommittee Hearing Finds Flawed Enforcement of FLSA Hurts Workers and Employers
10/05/2011 - Press Release: Subcommittee to Discuss OSHA’s Regulatory Impact on Worker Safety and Job Creation
06/16/2011 - Press Release: Inspector General Reports OSHA has not Evaluated Its Enforcement Program  
05/12/2011 - Press Release: Walberg: Inefficiencies Plague Federal Workers’ Compensation Program
05/04/2011 - Press Release: Committee Examines Recent Efforts To Modernize Mine Safety
04/14/2011 - Press Release: Hearing Finds Flawed Implementation of Davis-Bacon Poses Risk to Taxpayers and Workers
03/03/2011 - Press Release: Kline, Walberg Question MSHA Leader on Reported Enforcement Lapses