US Department of Labor announces collaboration with New York to promote labor law compliance, child labor enforcement

Date of action:           Oct. 3, 2024 

Participants:              U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division 

                        New York State Department of Labor, Division of Labor Standards

Purpose:                     The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and New York State Department of Labor’s Division of Labor Standards announced a new collaboration designed to help employers comply with labor laws with a focus on child labor enforcement. The partnership will allow the agencies to effectively and efficiently communicate and cooperate on areas of common interest, share training materials, conduct joint investigations and share information to encourage enhanced law enforcement.

Background:              The department’s Wage and Hour Division enforces the federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The New York Division of Labor Standards is responsible for administering the state labor law provisions relating to minimum wages, overtime, unpaid agreed wages, unpaid agreed wage supplements, child labor, illegal industrial homework, the garment industry, equal pay, day of rest, meal periods, restrictions on consecutive hours of work for nurses and related provisions.

Duration:                  The agreement will expire five years from October 3, 2024.

Quote:                        “At the Wage and Hour Division, protecting the most vulnerable workers in our country, our children, is our top priority,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Michael Milazzo in Albany, New York. “We are intent upon uncovering and pursuing child labor law violators. Working with our state partners in this effort is just one of many tools we utilize in promoting and achieving compliance of labor laws.”

“Ensuring young people are protected in the workplace is a top priority,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “Violating labor laws is unacceptable, and it’s particularly egregious when it involves vulnerable workers who are just entering the workforce. NYSDOL is enhancing our strong collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor to help employers comply with labor laws focused on keeping children safe in the workplace. This is essential to empowering and protecting New York’s workforce, and we are a proud partner in this ongoing endeavor.”