WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a grant competition for the National Farmworker Jobs Program. Funds will be used to provide career training and employment and supportive services to improve economic opportunities for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families.

"Farmworkers – harvesting and packaging the vegetables and fruits that feed a nation – are vital to our economy. These Labor Department grants will be an investment that benefits not only these workers but all of us," said acting Secretary Seth D. Harris.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending February 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 366,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 371,000. The 4-week moving average was 350,500, a decrease of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 352,750.

New rule announced benefitting military families and airline flight crews

Date of Action: Feb. 1, 2013

Type of Action: Default judgment

Names of Defendants: Maximus Multimedia International LLC and Maximus Multimedia International LLC 401(k) Savings Plan in Peoria, Ill.

Date of Action: Feb. 4, 2013

Type of Action: Default judgment

Names of Defendants: Philip Oakes, Herb’s Carpet & Tile, Inc., and the Herb’s Carpet & Tile Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees Individual Retirement Account Plan in Fremont, Newaygo County, Mich.

Judge orders Bloom Energy Corp. to pay back wages, liquidated damages and penalties

US Labor Department releases key findings on acts 20th anniversary

WASHINGTON — To mark the 20th anniversary of the signing of the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act, the U.S. Department of Labor today released the results of a survey on its use and impact. Titled "Family and Medical Leave Act in 2012: Final Report," the survey shows that the law has had a positive effect on the lives of millions of workers and their families without imposing an undue burden on employers.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a settlement agreement with ING Life Insurance and Annuity Co. that provides for a $5.2 million payment to certain retirement plan clients adversely affected by its undisclosed practice of keeping investment gains achieved when the company failed to process requested transactions in a timely manner.

The department alleged that ILIAC's failure to disclose its policy on reconciling transaction processing errors to retirement plan clients was a violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

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

"This morning's report shows solid, steady growth in jobs. The economy added 157,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in January, while the unemployment rate was unchanged at7.9 percent.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $529,837 National Emergency Grant to assist about 150 workers affected by the closure of Siltronic Corp. in Portland, Ore., which manufactures silicon wafers for computers, smartphones, navigation systems and similar devices.

Fatality rates at an all-time low, while annual number of deaths is 2nd lowest

ARLINGTON, Va. – Preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration released today indicates that, in 2012, mining fatality rates reached an all-time low for the second straight year. Fatality rates are calculated based on the number of mining deaths per 200,000 hours worked.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending January 26, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 368,000, an increase of 38,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 330,000. The 4-week moving average was 352,000, an increase of 250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 351,750.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs today announced a $75,000 settlement with The Sandi Group/Corporate Bank Financial Services for failure to report in a timely manner on the injuries and deaths of 30 employees in Iraq between 2003 and 2005.

Date of Action: January 25, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Keith Vinson and Tradition, LLC

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council, will hold its 165th public meeting March 1.

The meeting will take place at department headquarters, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Suite C-5521 Room 4, Washington, D.C. 20210. It will run from 1:30 p.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m. EST.

Date of Action: Jan. 29, 2013

Type of Action: Default judgment

Names of Defendant: Gautam Gupta, Gautam Gupta, M.D., doing business as, Nutrition Clinic 401(k) Plan

46 requests for temporary reinstatement made in 2012

NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York seeking the appointment of an independent fiduciary to manage the 401(k) plan of defunct Windswept Environmental Group Inc. of Holtsville, N.Y.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced technical updates to its Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act requires most private-sector plans to file an annual return/report of employee benefit plan. This is usually the Form 5500 or, for certain small plans, Form 5500-SF. Plan administrators who fail or refuse to comply with ERISA’s annual filing requirement may incur significant monetary penalties.

Date of Action: Jan. 25, 2013

Type of Action: Default judgment

Names of Defendant:Tannile Elizabeth Ortiz, a fiduciary to the Spencer & Associates LLC Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan