U.S. Department of Labor Launches National Online Dialogue To Enhance Cross-Agency Efforts to Combat Labor Trafficking

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a national online dialogue intended to enhance the Department’s efforts and determine how to engage workers, advocates and other stakeholder groups to combat labor trafficking and forced employment more effectively.

The Department’s Office of Compliance Initiatives (OCI) is partnering with the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Centers for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, Employment and Training Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Office of Disability Employment Policy and Wage and Hour Division for an online conversation through the “U.S. Department of Labor’s Efforts to End Labor Trafficking National Online Dialogue.”

Ideas and comments from those who participate will help the Department develop and enhance agency resources on labor trafficking. Register now to join the national dialogue. The dialogue will remain open until Dec. 14, 2020.

Presently, the U.S. Department of Labor combats labor trafficking by:

• Investigating and enforcing federal labor laws, assisting in the computation of back wages for victims and making appropriate referrals to other law enforcement agencies;
• Engaging in partnerships with embassies and consulates;
• Funding international grants to research and monitor labor trafficking;
• Educating the public on labor trafficking in consumer goods and services industries;
• Providing employment and training programs for victims of trafficking; and 
• Developing tools for companies and industry groups to ensure global supply chain compliance efforts hinder labor traffickers seeking to exploit vulnerable workers.

The U.S. government is committed to preventing human trafficking by prioritizing resources to prosecute offenders vigorously, assist victims and provide prevention education. On Jan. 31, 2020, President Trump signed Executive Order 13903 focused on combating human trafficking. The White House further emphasized its commitment to preventing human trafficking when it released its National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking on Oct. 19, 2020.

OCI is part of the Department’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy. It aims to foster a compliance assistance culture within the Department, complement its enforcement efforts and improve compliance assistance outreach. Through www.Worker.gov and www.Employer.gov, OCI provides information about worker rights and employer responsibilities.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.