U.S. Secretary of Labor Visits Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta visited Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this past weekend to meet with senior officials managing the recovery efforts and to inspect Job Corps centers damaged during hurricanes Irma and Maria.

“My visit to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands allowed me to see firsthand the resilience of our fellow Americans who are recovering from the devastation of this year’s hurricanes,” said Secretary Acosta.  “We will continue to support the workforce as local communities continue to rebuild.”

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Secretary met with Lt. Governor Osbert E. Potter and Commissioner of Labor Catherine Hendry to discuss recovery efforts and the effects of the storms on the workforce.

In Puerto Rico, Secretary Acosta met with Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Luis Gerardo Rivera Marín, Secretary of Labor and Human Services Carlos Saavedra-Gutiérrez, and Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration Carlos Mercader. The officials discussed rebuilding efforts and the current workforce situation.  The Secretary also toured all three of the island’s Job Corps centers to survey damage and speak with officials about recovery and the status of the centers.

Secretary Acosta met separately with Acting Regional Administrator of FEMA Region II Michael Byrne to discuss the Agency’s priorities.