A foreigner's guide to the U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor has a mission to develop and promote the welfare of job seekers, wage earners and retirees who are residents of the United States. It also aims to improve their work conditions, foster opportunities for gainful employment, protect work benefits and rights of the workers. Foreigners working in the U.S. also receive the same privileges and support from the U.S. labour department.

Minimum wages and work hours

Whether you are looking for a job in the USA or already working, you can get assistance regarding career exploration and knowledge about various labour laws from the employment department, which is the DOL. The U.S. Department of Labor offers workers protection under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This Act provides for minimum wage amount and overtime pay for workers in private and public organisations. The Act ensures that the covered employees, who must not be exempt, receive the federal minimum wages and an overtime pay of at least 1.5 times the normal rate of pay. The Act also prohibits the employment of minors under the age of 18 in specific jobs that are deemed unfit or dangerous for them, and controls the number of hours that a minor under the age of 16 may work in non-agricultural occupations. Even in agricultural occupations, minors below the age of 16 are prohibited from working during school hours. The labour board also enforces provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act that apply to foreigners working in the United States under various non-immigrant Visa programmes.

OSHA regulations

The Department of Labor also looks into the safety and health at the workplace with the implementation of the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). OSHA safety regulations help to enforce safety and health conditions in almost every private and public industry. Employers covered under OSHA regulations have a basic duty to provide their workers with a workplace and work that is free from known hazards. The Act is enforced through workplace investigations and inspections. Cooperative programmes and compliance assistance for the employers are also made available. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of OSHA throughout the United States.