October 11, 2002—The Department of Labor has announced that DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has joined the Justice and Equality in the Workplace Program, designed to protect the rights and promote the safety of Hispanic workers, who number over 14.5 million in the US. DOL says that this program, based in Houston, is the first of its kind.
The program, which was created in July 2001, has already aided the Wage and Hour Administration recover over $700,000 in back wages. OSHA, with the help of the Justice and Equality in the Workplace Program, will disseminate health and safety information, compliance assistance information, and enforcement of health and safety laws.
The Justice and Equality in the Workplace Program is a partnership program that includes the Wage and Hour Administration; the Consulates General of Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, and El Salvador; the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund; and the Office of the Mayor-Immigration and Refugee Affairs.
