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U.S. Department of Labor

  • Worker.gov: Worker.gov is a one-stop resource center to help workers understand their rights and access resources at the Department of Labor.
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA ensures that there are safe and healthful conditions for workers. They set and enforce standards for working conditions and provide training, outreach, education, and assistance.
  • Wage and Hour Division (WHD): WHD enforces laws that cover federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor.
    • Call the Wage and Hour Division's toll-free help line: 1-866-4-USWAGE (1-866-487-9243)
    • Or submit a question/comment using their online form
    • Find the contact information for the local WHD office closest to you
  • Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB): ILAB works to strengthen labor standards around the world and combat international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. For more information, visit DOL.gov/agencies/ilab.
  • Women's Bureau: The Women's Bureau supports policies to protect the interests of working women, advocates for the equality and economic security of women and their families, and promotes quality work environments. For more information, visit DOL.gov/agencies/wb.

Other U.S. Government Agencies Relevant to Migrant Worker Labor Rights and Protections

Other Resources Related to Migrant Worker Labor Rights and Protections

  • Labor Mobility MOU
    • On January 17, 2023, the U.S. and Mexican governments signed an agreement to strengthen protections for workers participating in temporary foreign worker programs. The two countries committed to increased transparency and coordination between the two countries. Protections in the agreement include enforcing working conditions, preventing discrimination, establishing fair recruitment processes, and providing access to quality temporary agricultural and non-agricultural employment. Both countries committed to improving tools to prevent worker rights investigations, holding employers accountable, and connecting harmed and exploited workers with assistance and care.
    • Link to the MOU
  • Workers Owed Wages (WOW)
    • When the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) finds violations at workplaces, they often recover unpaid wages on behalf of employees. If you think you may be owed back wages collected by WHD, you can search their database of workers who have money waiting to be claimed. To receive your owed wages, 1) Find your employer, 2) Find yourself in the system, 3) Fill out your contact information, and 4) Upload a signed claim form.
    • On March 13, 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL) and Mexico's Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) launched the U.S.-Mexico Return of Migrant Wages Pilot Program. This program allows Mexico and the DOL to share information and coordinate efforts to return earned back wages collected by the Wage and Hour Division to Mexican migrant workers who were in the United States under the H-2A agricultural visa program. WHD shares information with STPS so they can identify workers who earned wages in the United States but have returned to Mexico.
    • If you're a Mexican worker who traveled to the U.S. under the H-2A visa program and you believe you are owed back wages, call @STPS_mx at +52-55-3067-3028 or email them at recuperacionsalariosh2a@cloud.stps.gob.mx
  • Guidance on Fair Recruitment Practices for Temporary Migrant Workers
    • On June 10, 2022, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Department of Labor, and Department of State issued "Guidance on Fair Recruitment Practices for Temporary Migrant Workers" with guidelines on prevention of abuse of potential workers. The guidance is intended to increase regulation of the H-2A and H-2B worker recruitment programs, protect applicants from abuse, and safeguard workers' rights.
  • U Visas and T Visas
    • There are two special types of visas that can provide temporary immigration status if you are a victim of a certain crime. You could qualify for a U visa if you have suffered physical or mental abuse because of criminal activity and can provide information to law enforcement or government officials who are investigating the crime. You could qualify for a T visa if you are a victim of human trafficking and are willing to help law enforcement investigate the human trafficking crime.
    • For more information, visit OSHA's webpage on U & T visa certifications. For more information, visit OSHA's webpage on U & T visa certifications or WHD's webpage on U & T visa certifications
  • Labor and human trafficking
  • Gender-based violence and harassment
    • The Fostering Access, Rights, and Equity (FARE) Grant Program which helps women workers who are paid low wages learn about and access their employment rights and benefits. The 2023 FARE grant program recipients will undertake projects to assist marginalized and underserved women workers who have been impacted by gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) in the world of work by building awareness, connecting women to federal and state workplace rights and benefits, and implementing worker and survivor-driven strategies to shift workplace norms.
    • The Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor collaborates with the International Labour Organization's Office for the United States and Canada to participate in a series of roundtables to explore how collaboration and strategy can help eliminate GBVH in the United States. The series, Uniting to End GBVH in the World of Work, emphasizes the meaningful and lasting change we can make in our communities when governments, workers, unions, employers, and advocates act in tandem. The most recent roundtable featured worker-led education and awareness efforts to make our world of work safer for all workers by enacting culture change, addressing structural risk factors, and centering worker voices in solutions.
  • USCIS case status inquiry page: Workers who have a receipt number for an H-2 petition may check information on petition status on the USCIS website, to confirm the validity of their H-2 petition or check on the processing of an extension or change request.