82_FR_55620 82 FR 55397 - Request for Comments on Labor Capacity-Building Efforts Under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement

82 FR 55397 - Request for Comments on Labor Capacity-Building Efforts Under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 223 (November 21, 2017)

Page Range55397-55399
FR Document2017-25012

This notice is a request for comments from the public to assist the Secretary of Labor and the United States Trade Representative in preparing a report on labor capacity-building efforts under Chapter 16 (``the Labor Chapter'') and Annex 16.5 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (``CAFTA-DR''). Comments are also welcomed on efforts made by the CAFTA-DR countries to implement the labor obligations under the Labor Chapter and the recommendations contained in a paper entitled, ``The Labor Dimension in Central America and the Dominican Republic--Building on Progress: Strengthening Compliance and Enhancing Capacity'' (the ``White Paper''). This report is required under the Dominican Republic- Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (CAFTA-DR Implementation Act). The reporting function and the responsibility for soliciting public comments required under this Act were assigned to the Secretary of Labor in consultation with the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 223 (Tuesday, November 21, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55397-55399]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25012]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Request for Comments on Labor Capacity-Building Efforts Under the 
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement

AGENCY: Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor 
and Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Request for comments from the public.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice is a request for comments from the public to 
assist the Secretary of Labor and the United States Trade 
Representative in preparing a report on labor capacity-building efforts 
under Chapter 16 (``the Labor Chapter'') and Annex 16.5 of the 
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement 
(``CAFTA-DR''). Comments are also welcomed on efforts made by the 
CAFTA-DR countries to implement the labor obligations under the Labor 
Chapter and the recommendations contained in a paper entitled, ``The 
Labor Dimension in Central America and the Dominican Republic--Building 
on Progress: Strengthening Compliance and Enhancing Capacity'' (the 
``White Paper''). This report is required under the Dominican Republic-
Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 
(CAFTA-DR Implementation Act). The reporting function and the 
responsibility for soliciting public comments required under this Act 
were assigned to the Secretary of Labor in

[[Page 55398]]

consultation with the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

DATES: Written comments are due no later than 5 p.m. (EDT) January 2, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Public comments should be submitted electronically to 
www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-rulemaking portal. Comments may also 
be submitted by postal or electronic mail to: Mr. Graham Robertson, 
Office of Trade and Labor Affairs, Bureau of International Labor 
Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S-
5006, Washington, DC 20210, [email protected]. Comments that 
are mailed must be received by the date indicated for consideration. 
Also, please note that due to security concerns, postal delivery in 
Washington, DC may be delayed. Therefore, in order to ensure that 
comments receive full consideration, the Department encourages the 
public to submit comments via the internet as indicated above. Please 
submit only one copy of your comments by only one method. Also, please 
be advised that comments received will become a matter of public record 
and will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided. The Department cautions 
commenters not to include personal information, such as Social Security 
Numbers, personal addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses in 
their comments as such information will become viewable by the public 
on the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. It is each commenter's 
responsibility to safeguard his or her information. Comments submitted 
through http://www.regulations.gov will not include the commenter's 
email address unless the commenter chooses to include that information 
as part of his or her comment. If you are unable to provide submissions 
by either of these means, please contact Graham Robertson (202-693-
4818) to arrange for an alternative method of submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Graham Robertson, Office of Trade 
and Labor Affairs, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S-5006, 
Washington, DC 20210. Email: [email protected], Telephone: 
(202) 693-4818.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. Background Information

    During the legislative approval process for the CAFTA-DR, the 
Administration and the Congress reached an understanding on the need to 
support labor capacity-building efforts linked to recommendations 
identified in the ``White Paper'' of the Working Group of the Vice 
Ministers Responsible for Trade and Labor in the countries of Central 
America and the Dominican Republic. Appropriations have been made 
available from FY 2005 through 2017 to support labor capacity building 
efforts in CAFTA-DR countries. For more information, see the full text 
of the CAFTA-DR at https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/cafta-dr-dominican-republic-central-america-fta/final-text 
and the ``White Paper'' at http://www.sice.oas.org/labor/White%20Paper_e.pdf.
    In addition, in December 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) 
published its procedural guidelines for the receipt and review of 
submissions under U.S. Free Trade Agreements, including the CAFTA-DR 
(71 FR 76691 Dec. 21, 2006). Subsequently, pursuant to CAFTA-DR Article 
16.4.2, in November 2008, the United States and CAFTA-DR partner 
countries held the first Labor Affairs Council meeting in San Salvador, 
El Salvador. Since the CAFTA-DR came into force, USDOL's Office of 
Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) has accepted three submissions under the 
labor chapter of the CAFTA-DR. In February 2015, OTLA issued a public 
report on its review of a submission regarding Honduras, and in 
December of that year the United States and Honduras signed a 
comprehensive monitoring and action plan that addresses gaps in 
enforcement of Honduran labor law outlined in OTLA's public report. In 
September 2013, OTLA issued a public report in response to a submission 
regarding the Dominican Republic and since then, the Department of 
Labor has been engaging with the Dominican Republic on the issues 
identified in the report. With respect to a submission regarding 
Guatemala, OTLA issued a public report in January 2009, and the United 
States Trade Representative requested the establishment of an arbitral 
panel in August 2011, pursuant to Article 20.6.1, to consider whether 
the Government of Guatemala was conforming to its obligations under 
Article 16.2.1(a) of the CAFTA-DR. In November 2012, the parties agreed 
to suspend panel proceedings while the parties negotiated and 
implemented an Enforcement Plan. In an attempt to resolve the dispute, 
the Panel resumed its work in September 2013 and issued its final 
report on June 14, 2017. The Panel's findings confirmed the U.S. view 
that Guatemala's enforcement failures, in particular with respect to 
laws protecting the right of association, the right to organize and 
bargain collectively, and acceptable conditions of work including 
occupational safety and health, minimum wage, and hours of work, are a 
serious concern, but determined that evidence did not establish other 
required elements necessary to prove a violation of CAFTA-DR. Under 
CAFTA-DR, the panel decision is final; there is no appeal process.
    Under section 403(a) of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 
4111(a), the President must report biennially to the Congress on the 
progress made by the CAFTA-DR countries in implementing the labor 
obligations and the labor capacity-building provisions found in the 
Labor Chapter and in Annex 16.5, and in implementing the 
recommendations contained in the ``White Paper.'' Section 403(a)(4) 
requires that the President establish a mechanism to solicit public 
comments on the matters described in section 403(a)(3)(D) of the CAFTA-
DR Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 4111(a)(4) (listed below in 2).
    By Proclamation, the President delegated the reporting function and 
the responsibility for soliciting public comments under section 403(a) 
of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 4111(a), to the Secretary 
of Labor, in consultation with the USTR (Proclamation No. 8272, 73 FR 
38,297 (June 30, 2008)). This notice serves to request public comments 
as required by this section.

2. The USDOL Is Seeking Comments on the Following Topics as Required 
Under Section 403(a)(3)(D) of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act

    a. Capacity-building efforts by the United States government 
envisaged by Article 16.5 of the CAFTA-DR Labor Chapter and Annex 16.5;
    b. Efforts by the United States government to facilitate full 
implementation of the ``White Paper'' recommendations; and
    c. Efforts made by the CAFTA-DR countries to comply with Article 
16.5 of the Labor Chapter and Annex 16.5 and to fully implement the 
``White Paper'' recommendations, including progress made by the CAFTA-
DR countries in affording to workers internationally-recognized worker 
rights through improved capacity.

3. Requirements for Submission

    Persons submitting comments must do so in English and must make the 
following note on the first page of their submissions: ``Comments 
regarding the

[[Page 55399]]

CAFTA-DR Implementation Act.'' In order to be assured consideration, 
comments should be submitted by 5 p.m. (EDT), January 2, 2018. The 
Department of Labor encourages commenters to make on-line submissions 
using the www.regulations.gov Web site. When entering this site, enter 
``Request for Comments on Labor Capacity-Building Efforts Under the 
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement'' 
on the home page search bar and click ``search.'' The site will provide 
a search-results page listing all documents associated with this 
docket. Find a reference to this notice and click on the link entitled 
``Comment Now.'' (For further information on using the 
www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult the resources provided on 
the Web site by clicking on ``How to Use This Site'' (found on the 
bottom of the home page under ``Help'')).
    The www.regulations.gov Web site allows users to provide comments 
by filling in a ``Type Comment field,'' or by attaching a document 
using an ``Upload File'' field. The USDOL prefers that uploaded 
submissions be in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If the 
submission is in an application other than those two, please indicate 
the name of the application in the ``Type Comment'' field.
    Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic 
submissions; rather, include any information that might appear in a 
cover letter in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent 
possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in 
the same file as the submission itself and not as separate files.
    As noted, USDOL strongly urges submitters to file comments through 
the www.regulations.gov Web site.
    Comments will be open to public inspection. Comments may be viewed 
on the www.regulations.gov Web site.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on November 9, 2017.
Martha E. Newton,
Deputy Undersecretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-25012 Filed 11-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-28-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 21, 2017 / Notices                                                 55397

                                                    DATES: The OMB will consider all                        information collection is authorized by               e.g., permitting electronic submission of
                                                    written comments that agency receives                   13 U.S.C. 182 and 29 U.S.C. 2.                        responses.
                                                    on or before December 21, 2017.                           This information collection is subject                Agency: DOL–BLS.
                                                                                                            to the PRA. A Federal agency generally                  Title of Collection: Current Population
                                                    ADDRESSES:    A copy of this ICR with
                                                                                                            cannot conduct or sponsor a collection                Survey—Basic Labor Force.
                                                    applicable supporting documentation;
                                                                                                            of information, and the public is                       OMB Control Number: 1220–0100.
                                                    including a description of the likely
                                                                                                            generally not required to respond to an                 Affected Public: Individuals or
                                                    respondents, proposed frequency of
                                                                                                            information collection, unless it is                  Households.
                                                    response, and estimated total burden
                                                                                                            approved by the OMB under the PRA                       Total Estimated Number of
                                                    may be obtained free of charge from the
                                                                                                            and displays a currently valid OMB                    Respondents: 53,000.
                                                    RegInfo.gov Web site at http://
                                                                                                            Control Number. In addition,                            Total Estimated Number of
                                                    www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
                                                                                                            notwithstanding any other provisions of               Responses: 636,000.
                                                    PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201706-1220-002
                                                                                                            law, no person shall generally be subject               Total Estimated Annual Time Burden:
                                                    (this link will only become active on the               to penalty for failing to comply with a
                                                    day following publication of this notice)                                                                     80,560 hours.
                                                                                                            collection of information that does not                 Total Estimated Annual Other Costs
                                                    or by contacting Michel Smyth by                        display a valid Control Number. See 5
                                                    telephone at 202–693–4129, TTY 202–                                                                           Burden: $0.
                                                                                                            CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL
                                                    693–8064, (these are not toll-free                      obtains OMB approval for this                           Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).
                                                    numbers) or by email at DOL_PRA_                        information collection under Control                    Dated: November 14, 2017.
                                                    PUBLIC@dol.gov.                                         Number 1220–0100.                                     Michel Smyth,
                                                       Submit comments about this request                     OMB authorization for an ICR cannot                 Departmental Clearance Officer.
                                                    by mail to the Office of Information and                be for more than three (3) years without              [FR Doc. 2017–25111 Filed 11–20–17; 8:45 am]
                                                    Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk                      renewal, and the current approval for
                                                                                                                                                                  BILLING CODE 4510–24–P
                                                    Officer for DOL–BLS, Office of                          this collection is scheduled to expire on
                                                    Management and Budget, Room 10235,                      December 31, 2017. The DOL seeks to
                                                    725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC                     extend PRA authorization for this                     DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
                                                    20503; by Fax: 202–395–5806 (this is                    information collection for three (3) more
                                                    not a toll-free number); or by email:                   years, without any change to existing                 Office of the Secretary
                                                    OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov.                            requirements. The DOL notes that
                                                    Commenters are encouraged, but not                      existing information collection                       Request for Comments on Labor
                                                    required, to send a courtesy copy of any                requirements submitted to the OMB                     Capacity-Building Efforts Under the
                                                    comments by mail or courier to the U.S.                 receive a month-to-month extension                    Dominican Republic-Central America-
                                                    Department of Labor-OASAM, Office of                    while they undergo review. For                        United States Free Trade Agreement
                                                    the Chief Information Officer, Attn:                    additional substantive information
                                                    Departmental Information Compliance                     about this ICR, see the related notice                AGENCY:  Bureau of International Labor
                                                    Management Program, Room N1301,                         published in the Federal Register on                  Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor and
                                                    200 Constitution Avenue NW.,                            June 19, 2017 (82 FR 27873).                          Office of the United States Trade
                                                    Washington, DC 20210; or by email:                        Interested parties are encouraged to                Representative.
                                                    DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov.                                 send comments to the OMB, Office of                   ACTION: Request for comments from the
                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        Information and Regulatory Affairs at                 public.
                                                    Michel Smyth by telephone at 202–693–                   the address shown in the ADDRESSES
                                                                                                            section within thirty (30) days of                    SUMMARY:    This notice is a request for
                                                    4129, TTY 202–693–8064, (these are not                                                                        comments from the public to assist the
                                                    toll-free numbers) or by email at DOL_                  publication of this notice in the Federal
                                                                                                            Register. In order to help ensure                     Secretary of Labor and the United States
                                                    PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov.                                                                                           Trade Representative in preparing a
                                                                                                            appropriate consideration, comments
                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:      This ICR                should mention OMB Control Number                     report on labor capacity-building efforts
                                                    seeks to extend PRA authority for the                   1220–0100. The OMB is particularly                    under Chapter 16 (‘‘the Labor Chapter’’)
                                                    Current Population Survey (CPS)—Basic                   interested in comments that:                          and Annex 16.5 of the Dominican
                                                    Labor Force information collection. The                   • Evaluate whether the proposed                     Republic-Central America-United States
                                                    labor force data collected in the CPS                   collection of information is necessary                Free Trade Agreement (‘‘CAFTA–DR’’).
                                                    help to determine the employment                        for the proper performance of the                     Comments are also welcomed on efforts
                                                    situation of specific population groups                 functions of the agency, including                    made by the CAFTA–DR countries to
                                                    as well as general trends in employment                 whether the information will have                     implement the labor obligations under
                                                    and unemployment. The survey is the                     practical utility;                                    the Labor Chapter and the
                                                    only source of monthly data on total                      • Evaluate the accuracy of the                      recommendations contained in a paper
                                                    employment and unemployment. The                        agency’s estimate of the burden of the                entitled, ‘‘The Labor Dimension in
                                                    Employment Situation Report contains                    proposed collection of information,                   Central America and the Dominican
                                                    data from this survey, and it is                        including the validity of the                         Republic—Building on Progress:
                                                    designated a Principle Federal                          methodology and assumptions used;                     Strengthening Compliance and
                                                    Economic Indicator; moreover, the                         • Enhance the quality, utility, and                 Enhancing Capacity’’ (the ‘‘White
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    survey also yields data on the basic                    clarity of the information to be                      Paper’’). This report is required under
                                                    status and characteristics of persons not               collected; and                                        the Dominican Republic-Central
                                                    in the labor force. CPS data are used                     • Minimize the burden of the                        America-United States Free Trade
                                                    monthly, in conjunction with data from                  collection of information on those who                Agreement Implementation Act
                                                    other sources, to analyze the extent to                 are to respond, including through the                 (CAFTA–DR Implementation Act). The
                                                    which, and with what success, the                       use of appropriate automated,                         reporting function and the
                                                    various components of the American                      electronic, mechanical, or other                      responsibility for soliciting public
                                                    population are participating in the                     technological collection techniques or                comments required under this Act were
                                                    economic life of the nation. This                       other forms of information technology,                assigned to the Secretary of Labor in


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:56 Nov 20, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00054   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM   21NON1


                                                    55398                      Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 21, 2017 / Notices

                                                    consultation with the United States                     to support labor capacity-building                    particular with respect to laws
                                                    Trade Representative (USTR).                            efforts linked to recommendations                     protecting the right of association, the
                                                    DATES: Written comments are due no                      identified in the ‘‘White Paper’’ of the              right to organize and bargain
                                                    later than 5 p.m. (EDT) January 2, 2018.                Working Group of the Vice Ministers                   collectively, and acceptable conditions
                                                    ADDRESSES: Public comments should be                    Responsible for Trade and Labor in the                of work including occupational safety
                                                    submitted electronically to                             countries of Central America and the                  and health, minimum wage, and hours
                                                    www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-                     Dominican Republic. Appropriations                    of work, are a serious concern, but
                                                    rulemaking portal. Comments may also                    have been made available from FY 2005                 determined that evidence did not
                                                    be submitted by postal or electronic                    through 2017 to support labor capacity                establish other required elements
                                                    mail to: Mr. Graham Robertson, Office of                building efforts in CAFTA–DR                          necessary to prove a violation of
                                                    Trade and Labor Affairs, Bureau of                      countries. For more information, see the              CAFTA–DR. Under CAFTA–DR, the
                                                    International Labor Affairs, U.S.                       full text of the CAFTA–DR at https://                 panel decision is final; there is no
                                                    Department of Labor, 200 Constitution                   ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-                 appeal process.
                                                    Avenue NW., Room S–5006,                                agreements/cafta-dr-dominican-                           Under section 403(a) of the CAFTA–
                                                    Washington, DC 20210,                                   republic-central-america-fta/final-text               DR Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C.
                                                    Robertson.Alistair.G@dol.gov.                           and the ‘‘White Paper’’ at http://                    4111(a), the President must report
                                                    Comments that are mailed must be                        www.sice.oas.org/labor/                               biennially to the Congress on the
                                                    received by the date indicated for                      White%20Paper_e.pdf.                                  progress made by the CAFTA–DR
                                                    consideration. Also, please note that                      In addition, in December 2006, the                 countries in implementing the labor
                                                    due to security concerns, postal delivery               U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL)                      obligations and the labor capacity-
                                                    in Washington, DC may be delayed.                       published its procedural guidelines for               building provisions found in the Labor
                                                    Therefore, in order to ensure that                      the receipt and review of submissions                 Chapter and in Annex 16.5, and in
                                                    comments receive full consideration,                    under U.S. Free Trade Agreements,                     implementing the recommendations
                                                    the Department encourages the public to                 including the CAFTA–DR (71 FR 76691                   contained in the ‘‘White Paper.’’ Section
                                                    submit comments via the internet as                     Dec. 21, 2006). Subsequently, pursuant                403(a)(4) requires that the President
                                                    indicated above. Please submit only one                 to CAFTA–DR Article 16.4.2, in                        establish a mechanism to solicit public
                                                    copy of your comments by only one                       November 2008, the United States and                  comments on the matters described in
                                                    method. Also, please be advised that                    CAFTA–DR partner countries held the                   section 403(a)(3)(D) of the CAFTA–DR
                                                    comments received will become a                         first Labor Affairs Council meeting in                Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C.
                                                    matter of public record and will be                     San Salvador, El Salvador. Since the                  4111(a)(4) (listed below in 2).
                                                    posted without change to http://                        CAFTA–DR came into force, USDOL’s                        By Proclamation, the President
                                                    www.regulations.gov, including any                      Office of Trade and Labor Affairs                     delegated the reporting function and the
                                                    personal information provided. The                      (OTLA) has accepted three submissions                 responsibility for soliciting public
                                                    Department cautions commenters not to                   under the labor chapter of the CAFTA–                 comments under section 403(a) of the
                                                    include personal information, such as                   DR. In February 2015, OTLA issued a                   CAFTA–DR Implementation Act, 19
                                                    Social Security Numbers, personal                       public report on its review of a                      U.S.C. 4111(a), to the Secretary of Labor,
                                                    addresses, telephone numbers, and                       submission regarding Honduras, and in                 in consultation with the USTR
                                                    email addresses in their comments as                    December of that year the United States               (Proclamation No. 8272, 73 FR 38,297
                                                    such information will become viewable                   and Honduras signed a comprehensive                   (June 30, 2008)). This notice serves to
                                                    by the public on the http://                            monitoring and action plan that                       request public comments as required by
                                                    www.regulations.gov Web site. It is each                addresses gaps in enforcement of                      this section.
                                                    commenter’s responsibility to safeguard                 Honduran labor law outlined in OTLA’s                 2. The USDOL Is Seeking Comments on
                                                    his or her information. Comments                        public report. In September 2013, OTLA                the Following Topics as Required
                                                    submitted through http://                               issued a public report in response to a               Under Section 403(a)(3)(D) of the
                                                    www.regulations.gov will not include                    submission regarding the Dominican                    CAFTA–DR Implementation Act
                                                    the commenter’s email address unless                    Republic and since then, the                             a. Capacity-building efforts by the
                                                    the commenter chooses to include that                   Department of Labor has been engaging                 United States government envisaged by
                                                    information as part of his or her                       with the Dominican Republic on the                    Article 16.5 of the CAFTA–DR Labor
                                                    comment. If you are unable to provide                   issues identified in the report. With                 Chapter and Annex 16.5;
                                                    submissions by either of these means,                   respect to a submission regarding                        b. Efforts by the United States
                                                    please contact Graham Robertson (202–                   Guatemala, OTLA issued a public report                government to facilitate full
                                                    693–4818) to arrange for an alternative                 in January 2009, and the United States                implementation of the ‘‘White Paper’’
                                                    method of submission.                                   Trade Representative requested the                    recommendations; and
                                                    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.                    establishment of an arbitral panel in                    c. Efforts made by the CAFTA–DR
                                                    Graham Robertson, Office of Trade and                   August 2011, pursuant to Article 20.6.1,              countries to comply with Article 16.5 of
                                                    Labor Affairs, Bureau of International                  to consider whether the Government of                 the Labor Chapter and Annex 16.5 and
                                                    Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor,                Guatemala was conforming to its                       to fully implement the ‘‘White Paper’’
                                                    200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S–                    obligations under Article 16.2.1(a) of the            recommendations, including progress
                                                    5006, Washington, DC 20210. Email:                      CAFTA–DR. In November 2012, the                       made by the CAFTA–DR countries in
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Robertson.Alistair.G@DOL.Gov,                           parties agreed to suspend panel                       affording to workers internationally-
                                                    Telephone: (202) 693–4818.                              proceedings while the parties negotiated              recognized worker rights through
                                                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              and implemented an Enforcement Plan.                  improved capacity.
                                                                                                            In an attempt to resolve the dispute, the
                                                    1. Background Information                               Panel resumed its work in September                   3. Requirements for Submission
                                                       During the legislative approval                      2013 and issued its final report on June                 Persons submitting comments must
                                                    process for the CAFTA–DR, the                           14, 2017. The Panel’s findings                        do so in English and must make the
                                                    Administration and the Congress                         confirmed the U.S. view that                          following note on the first page of their
                                                    reached an understanding on the need                    Guatemala’s enforcement failures, in                  submissions: ‘‘Comments regarding the


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:56 Nov 20, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00055   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM   21NON1


                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 21, 2017 / Notices                                          55399

                                                    CAFTA–DR Implementation Act.’’ In                       ACTION: Notice of information collection;             determining monetary policy (as a
                                                    order to be assured consideration,                      request for comment.                                  Principal Federal Economic Indicator.)
                                                    comments should be submitted by 5                                                                               The integrated program’s single
                                                    p.m. (EDT), January 2, 2018. The                        SUMMARY:    The Department of Labor, as               sample produces both time-series
                                                    Department of Labor encourages                          part of its continuing effort to reduce               indexes and cost levels for industry and
                                                    commenters to make on-line                              paperwork and respondent burden,                      occupational groups, thereby increasing
                                                    submissions using the                                   conducts a pre-clearance consultation                 the analytical potential of the data.
                                                    www.regulations.gov Web site. When                      program to provide the general public                   The NCS employs probability
                                                    entering this site, enter ‘‘Request for                 and Federal agencies with an                          methods for selection of occupations.
                                                    Comments on Labor Capacity-Building                     opportunity to comment on proposed                    This ensures that sampled occupations
                                                    Efforts Under the Dominican Republic-                   and/or continuing collections of                      represent all occupations in the
                                                    Central America-United States Free                      information in accordance with the                    workforce, while minimizing the
                                                    Trade Agreement’’ on the home page                      Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This                 reporting burden on respondents. The
                                                    search bar and click ‘‘search.’’ The site               program helps to ensure that requested                survey collects data from a sample of
                                                    will provide a search-results page listing              data can be provided in the desired                   employers. These data will consist of
                                                    all documents associated with this                      format, reporting burden (time and                    information about the duties,
                                                    docket. Find a reference to this notice                 financial resources) is minimized,                    responsibilities, and compensation
                                                    and click on the link entitled ‘‘Comment                collection instruments are clearly                    (earnings and benefits) for a sample of
                                                    Now.’’ (For further information on using                understood, and the impact of collection              occupations for each sampled employer.
                                                    the www.regulations.gov Web site,                       requirements on respondents can be                      Data will be updated on a quarterly
                                                    please consult the resources provided                   properly assessed. The Bureau of Labor                basis. The updates will allow for
                                                    on the Web site by clicking on ‘‘How to                 Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments               production of data on change in
                                                    Use This Site’’ (found on the bottom of                 concerning the proposed revision of the               earnings and total compensation.
                                                    the home page under ‘‘Help’’)).                         ‘‘National Compensation Survey.’’ A                   II. Current Action
                                                                                                            copy of the proposed information
                                                       The www.regulations.gov Web site                                                                              Office of Management and Budget
                                                                                                            collection request can be obtained by
                                                    allows users to provide comments by                                                                           clearance is being sought for the
                                                                                                            contacting the individual listed below
                                                    filling in a ‘‘Type Comment field,’’ or by                                                                    National Compensation Survey.
                                                                                                            in the Addresses section of this notice.
                                                    attaching a document using an ‘‘Upload                                                                           The NCS collects earnings and work
                                                    File’’ field. The USDOL prefers that                    DATES: Written comments must be                       level data on occupations for the nation.
                                                    uploaded submissions be in Microsoft                    submitted to the office listed in the                 The NCS also collects information on
                                                    Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If                 Addresses section of this notice on or                the cost, provisions, and incidence of
                                                    the submission is in an application                     before January 22, 2018.                              major employee benefits through its
                                                    other than those two, please indicate the               ADDRESSES: Send comments to Nora                      benefit cost and benefit provision
                                                    name of the application in the ‘‘Type                   Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer,                       programs and publications.
                                                    Comment’’ field.                                        Division of Management Systems,                          BLS has for a number of years been
                                                       Please do not attach separate cover                  Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080,                using a revised approach to the Locality
                                                    letters to electronic submissions; rather,              2 Massachusetts Avenue NE.,                           Pay Survey (LPS); this uses data from
                                                    include any information that might                      Washington, DC 20212. Written                         two current BLS programs—the
                                                    appear in a cover letter in the                         comments also may be transmitted by                   Occupational Employment Statistics
                                                    submission itself. Similarly, to the                    fax to 202–691–5111 (this is not a toll               (OES) survey and the ECI program. This
                                                    extent possible, please include any                     free number.)                                         approach uses OES data to provide wage
                                                    exhibits, annexes, or other attachments                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                                                                  data by occupation and by area, while
                                                    in the same file as the submission itself               Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, at               ECI data are used to specify grade level
                                                    and not as separate files.                              202–691–7628 (this is not a toll free                 effects. This approach is also being used
                                                                                                            number.) (See ADDRESSES section.)                     to extend the estimation of pay gaps to
                                                       As noted, USDOL strongly urges
                                                                                                                                                                  areas that were not included in the prior
                                                    submitters to file comments through the                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            Locality Pay Survey sample, and these
                                                    www.regulations.gov Web site.
                                                                                                            I. Background                                         data have been delivered to the Pay
                                                       Comments will be open to public                                                                            Agent (in 2014, data for 92 areas were
                                                    inspection. Comments may be viewed                         The National Compensation Survey                   delivered.)
                                                    on the www.regulations.gov Web site.                    (NCS) is an ongoing survey of earnings                   The NCS has a national survey design
                                                      Signed at Washington, DC, on November 9,              and benefits among private firms, State,              for the ECI and the EBS. The NCS
                                                    2017.                                                   and local government. Data from the                   private industry sample is on a three-
                                                    Martha E. Newton,                                       NCS program include estimates of                      year rotational cycle, with one frozen
                                                                                                            wages covering broad groups of related                sample year every ten years for the NCS
                                                    Deputy Undersecretary.
                                                                                                            occupations, and data that directly links             private industry sample when a new
                                                    [FR Doc. 2017–25012 Filed 11–20–17; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                            benefit plan costs with detailed plan                 NCS State and local government sample
                                                    BILLING CODE 4510–28–P
                                                                                                            provisions. The NCS is used to produce                starts (approximately in 2025).
                                                                                                            the Employment Cost Trends, including                    The NCS continues to provide
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                            the Employment Cost Index (ECI) and                   employee benefit provision and
                                                    DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
                                                                                                            Employer Costs for Employee                           participation data. These data include
                                                    Bureau of Labor Statistics                              Compensation (ECEC), employee                         estimates of how many workers receive
                                                                                                            benefits data (on coverage, cost and                  the various employer-sponsored
                                                    Information Collection Activities;                      provisions), data used by the President’s             benefits. The data also include
                                                    Comment Request                                         Pay Agent and this data is used by                    information about the common
                                                                                                            compensation administrators and                       provisions of benefit plans.
                                                    AGENCY:Bureau of Labor Statistics,                      researchers in the private sector. Data                  NCS collection will use a number of
                                                    Department of Labor.                                    from the NCS are used to help in                      collection forms (normally having


                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:56 Nov 20, 2017   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00056   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM   21NON1



Document Created: 2017-11-21 00:43:00
Document Modified: 2017-11-21 00:43:00
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionRequest for comments from the public.
DatesWritten comments are due no later than 5 p.m. (EDT) January 2, 2018.
ContactMr. Graham Robertson, Office of Trade and Labor Affairs, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S-5006, Washington, DC 20210. Email: [email protected], Telephone: (202) 693-4818.
FR Citation82 FR 55397 

2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR