Office of the Spokesperson HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases…Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Tajani Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Tajani November 26, 2024 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani today and congratulated Italy on a successful G7 host year. They discussed the situation in Lebanon and the ongoing efforts to reach a diplomatic resolution that allows civilians to safely return home. They also shared concerns on growing humanitarian assistance needs in Lebanon. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister reaffirmed their commitment…
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Employer: Sly Fox Brewing Company, 331 Circle of Progress Drive, Pottstown, Pennsylvania Investigation sites: Sly Fox Pittsburgh Taphouse at the Point, 300 Liberty Ave., PittsburghSly Fox Pittsburgh Brewery at the Highline, 46 S. 4th St., Pittsburgh Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found Sly Fox Brewing Company unlawfully kept a portion of the tips earned by workers, allowing managers to participate in the restaurant’s tip pool, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Federal law forbids employers or managers from keeping employees’ tips for any purpose. As a result, the tip credit claimed by the employer became invalid and…
On behalf of the United States of America, I extend our best wishes to the people of Albania as you celebrate your 112th Independence Day. The close relationship between our nations is built on shared democratic values and a mutual desire for peace and security. Albania has exemplified these values through its steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of unprovoked Russian aggression, its leadership on the UN Human Rights Council, and its unwavering commitment to NATO’s collective security. We deeply appreciate Albania’s hospitality and assistance as temporary hosts for our Afghan allies. The United States looks forward to our…
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the signing of a new framework of action alongside the governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana and the World Cocoa Foundation to address child labor in the West African cocoa sector.Together, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana produce nearly 60 percent of the world’s cocoa each year. Despite progress, children are still engaged in child labor on cocoa farms in these two countries.“This framework places the relevant national plans of action of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana at the center of our work, while underscoring the critical role that companies play in promoting due diligence…
The text of the following statement was released by the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union. We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, reiterate our commitment to foster respect for international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, to protect human rights and dignity for all individuals and to promote gender equality. As the international community is facing…
Employers: Detroit Body Guards Protection Unit LLC Carla Bland, human resources directorActions: Fair Labor Standards Act consent judgment and orderCourts: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of MichiganFindings: A federal court ordered Detroit Body Guards Protection Unit LLC and human resources director Carla Bland, responsible for the company’s day-to-day operations, to pay $47,438 in back wages and liquidated damages to 33 employees. Entered on Nov. 26, 2024, the consent judgment and order resolves a complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Labor on Dec. 13, 2023.An investigation by the department’s Wage…
The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken discussed a range of global priorities with Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, today in Vatican City. They discussed the recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon and the opportunity to build on it to deescalate tensions and end conflicts in the region. They reaffirmed a shared commitment to addressing the horrific impacts on Ukrainian civilians as Ukraine defends itself against Russia’s aggression. They condemned ongoing political repression in Nicaragua and Venezuela. The Secretary commended the…
PORTSMOUTH, OH – Once again, the U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Portsmouth hardwood floor manufacturer with a long history of federal safety violations after the company reported a 23-year-old worker suffered a partial arm amputation while troubleshooting a rip saw machine at the manufacturer’s Charles Street facility.Responding to a May 2024 report of a worker’s injury at Appalachian Wood Floors Inc. ‒ operating as Graf Custom Hardwood ‒ inspectors with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined the saw’s safety device was bypassed. This failure allowed the worker to become entangled in the machines’ rotating blades at the…
The United States commends the action by States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to elect Czechia and North Macedonia to seats on the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council and reject Russia’s bid for a seat. As many countries noted during the proceedings, a State Party that is engaged in a war of aggression against a neighbor and that is committing extensive violations of the Convention is not deserving of a seat on the OPCW’s Executive Council. It is clear that the States Parties to the CWC value the global norm against the use…
Date of action: Nov. 20, 2024Type of action: Petition to enforce subpoena Employer: U.S. Postal Service, New Salem, PennsylvaniaBackground: The department filed a petition today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to enforce its subpoenas issued by its Occupational Safety and Health Administration as part of a whistleblower investigation of the U.S. Postal Service in New Salem, Pennsylvania. OSHA opened the probe in October 2023 after an employee alleged in a whistleblower complaint that she was suspended after reporting safety hazards involving an assigned vehicle and a work-related injury.During its investigation, OSHA interviewed a…