WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a temporary enforcement policy that will allow 401(k)-type plans to reset the timing for the annual distribution of the investment comparative chart that they are required to furnish to plan participants. Most plans must furnish this year's annual comparative chart no later than August 30, 2013.

WASHINGTON — The following is a joint statement from the Department of Labor, Office of the United States Trade Representative, and the State Department:

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending July 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 334,000, a decrease of 24,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 358,000. The 4-week moving average was 346,000, a decrease of 5,250 from the previous week's revised average of 351,250.

BOSTON — Tufts Associated Health Plans Inc. has agreed to pay $372,739 to 12 Asian, Hispanic and African American workers following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. The agreement settles allegations that the Massachusetts-based federal contractor violated provisions of Executive Order 11246 by retaliating against employees that OFCCP had determined were victims of discrimination in an earlier investigation.

BRIDGEPORT, Pa.—The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a court order freezing 13 bank and brokerage accounts allegedly containing assets of multiple employee welfare benefit plans administered by Bridgeport-based PennMont Benefit Services Inc. The accounts include bank accounts in the name of plan trustee Penn Public Trust, plan fiduciary John J. Koresko V and the Koresko Law Firm.

CRESTVIEW, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment requiring Robert S. Caputo and Glenn M. Bankert to restore $225,000 to an employee stock ownership plan. The judgment follows a lawsuit filed by the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration alleging the defendants breached their fiduciary responsibilities, in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Date of Action: July 2, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendant: Theresa A. Hellman and Robin M. Polin, individually and as fiduciaries of the Specialty Staff, Inc. 401(k) Plan; Specialty Staff Inc.; and the Specialty Staff Inc. 401(k) Plan located in Carmel, Ind.

Grants awarded to 38 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded approximately $64.3 million to 38 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia to implement or continue re-employment and eligibility assessments for individuals who receive unemployment benefits.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs is seeking eligible applicants for a $5 million cooperative agreement to reduce child labor and help youth of legal working age secure decent work in Morocco. The project will focus on supporting efforts in rural areas and areas in the process of urbanization that immediately adjoin cities and towns.

Date of Action: July 11, 2013

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Innovative Logistics Techniques Inc.  

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced the release of final data for 2012 that indicate the lowest fatality and injury rates in the history of U.S. mining, along with the lowest rate of contractor fatalities since the agency began calculating those rates in 1983.

Date of Action: June 25, 2013

Type of Action:  Default Judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): The Hartford Construction Group LLC, Travis M. Donnelly, the Hartford Construction Group, LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and the Hartford Construction Group LLC Group Health Plan

WASHINGTON — As part of the 75th anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is challenging innovative minds to develop a smartphone application that will transform the way the public is able to use departmental enforcement data. By providing consumers with information at their fingertips about which businesses have treated their workers fairly and lawfully, the creator of this application will help empower consumers to make informed choices about where to bring their business.

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris issued the following statement about the June 2013 Employment Situation report released today:

"This morning's report reveals an economy continuing to recover at a promising rate. With the addition of 202,000 private sector jobs in June, that makes 7.2 million private sector jobs over the last 40 consecutive months of growth.

Date of Action: June 27, 2013

Type of Action: Default judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Charles H. England, and Charles H. England, Inc.

Date of Action: July 1 , 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant(s): David O. Nyanjom, Laura Nyanjom, Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Associates, P.A and Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Associates, P.A. 401(k) Plan

Date of Action: July 1, 2013

Type of Action: Default Judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Jeremy Williams, individually and as a fiduciary to Williams Construction and Masonry Contractors Inc. profit sharing plan; Williams Construction and Masonry Contractors Inc. and Williams Construction and Masonry Contractors Inc. profit sharing plan.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the U.S. Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union have agreed to terms of a settlement that will improve safety in postal facilities across the country. The settlement follows negotiations stemming from inspections at 42 Postal Service sites in 2009 and 2010 that found violations of OSHA standards on electrical work practices.

ARLINGTON, Va. – An administrative law judge has ruled that a Madisonville, Ky., mining company violated the anti-discrimination provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 when it sued a miner for filing a discrimination complaint with the Mine Safety and Health Administration following his job termination, MSHA announced today.

WASHINGTON – Benefits.gov has launched a mobile compatible version of its website, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today. Benefits.gov, the official benefits website of the U.S. government, has enhanced its site for visitors using mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The changes make it easier for the public to access government benefit and assistance program information anytime, anywhere.