WASHINGTON - The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury today issued final rules on employment-based wellness programs. The final rules support workplace health promotion and prevention as a means to reduce the burden of chronic illness, improve health and limit growth of health care costs, while ensuring that individuals are protected from unfair underwriting practices that could otherwise reduce benefits based on health status.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $15,438,000 National Emergency Grant increment to create 1,191 temporary jobs for eligible workers to continue cleanup and recovery efforts following the widespread severe storms and winds that caused damage across Ohio between June 29 and July 2, 2012.

WASHINGTON – A $175,318 National Emergency Grant was announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor to assist about 70 of the 110 workers affected by the closure of Boise White Paper LLC in St. Helens, Ore.

Awarded to the Oregon Department of Community College and Workforce Development, the grant will provide eligible workers with access to training and a broad range of support services, in conjunction with other services they may receive as a result of their eligibility for Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits.

WASHINGTON — "Because We Are EQUAL to the Task" is the theme of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Chosen by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, the theme reflects the reality that people with disabilities have the education, training, experience and desire to be successful in the workplace.

Date of Action: May 22, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint and Consent Judgment

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Vineet Kalucha

Date of Action: May 20, 2013

Type of Action: Default Judgment

Names of Defendant: Tracy S. Randall, as a fiduciary to the TS Randall Company LLC Retirement Savings Plan, TS Randall Company LLC and the TS Randall Company LLC Retirement Savings Plan.

NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York seeking the appointment of an independent fiduciary to manage the 401(k) plan of the defunct David J. Hardy Construction Co. of Syracuse.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $9 million competitive grant solicitation for one or more projects to reduce child labor in the artisanal mining sector of Colombia.

Thousands of children work in Colombia's mining sector, where they labor alongside adults and are exposed to physical injuries, dangerous tools, hazardous substances, toxic gases and explosions. Many people are not aware that children face these hazards.

Consent judgment also includes order to pay $50,000 in lost wages to former employee

Mine owner initially refused to comply with judge's order

HYDRO, Okla. — Rigid Oil Field Services LLC has agreed to pay $51,839 in overtime back wages to 28 current and former employees following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which found violations of the overtime and record-keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The company misclassified its employees as independent contractors.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting applications under the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, through which a total of $1.5 million is available to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations; employer associations; labor unions; joint labor/management associations; and colleges and universities.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Female Veterans and Veterans with Families grants. Approximately 1,900 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2,774,736 National Emergency Grant to assist about 350 workers affected by the closure of Comair at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport in Erlanger, Ky. The funding will provide employment services to affected workers who reside in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.

Agreement covers Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri

NUEVA ORLEANS — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and the consulate general of Honduras today in New Orleans signed an agreement of understanding to combine resources and coordinate efforts to inform employers about the laws enforced by the department and to educate Honduran nationals working in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri about their rights under United States law.

Date of Action: May 10, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Order and Judgment

Name of Defendant: John A. Levy

Allegations: Levy, in his capacity as a fiduciary to the Romaine Inc. 401(k) Plan, failed to remit $10,286.41 in employee contributions and loan repayments to plan during periods from Jan. 5, 2007, through April 29, 2011. In addition, Levy failed to remit employee contributions and loan repayments to the plan in a timely manner during the same period.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs will award up to $5 million under a competitive grant solicitation for one or more cooperative agreements to address child labor and exploitative working conditions in Rwanda's tea sector. The project will have an area-based approach that targets children, families and workers who are susceptible to child labor.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs is seeking eligible applicants for a $10 million cooperative agreement on a project to address child labor, labor rights and working conditions in the Dominican Republic's agricultural sector, including in sugarcane and production supply chains.

Date of Action: May 10, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Order and Judgment

Names of Defendant: Ruby J. Black, individually and as a fiduciary to the Fresh Start Inc. 401(k) Plan and the Fresh Start, Inc. 401(k) Plan.

WASHINGTON – Job Corps students and instructors from Vermont and Utah used recycling and sustainability in creating unique, handcrafted awards honoring the service and dedication of U.S. Department of Labor employees who are recipients of the 2013 Secretary of Labor's Honor Awards.