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Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Ukraine’s new Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.  The Secretary congratulated Sybiha on his new position and underlined the enduring strength of the United States’ partnership with Ukraine, including ongoing military, economic, and humanitarian support to sustain Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s aggression and speed the recovery of Ukraine’s economy.  The two discussed the upcoming diplomatic calendar, and the Secretary confirmed U.S. support for Ukrainian events planned for the opening week of the UN General Assembly. Source_link

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su issued the following statement on the August 2024 Employment Situation report: “The latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the U.S. economy added 142,000 jobs in August, with the unemployment rate edging down to 4.2 percent. Earnings continue to rise, reflecting ongoing wage growth, and labor force participation remainsstrong, including an all-time historic high women’s prime age labor force participation rate. “What we’re seeing is a healthy, balanced economy that continues to deliver. Not only is the economy adding jobs, but we’re seeing more quality jobs – jobs that provide workers with stability and security. These jobs…

At 33 years old, Armelle’s life has been marked by challenges, but also by incredible resilience. This young entrepreneur, employed in a factory in Kribi, resides with an improvised aunt, surrounded by her four children. Her home, located in a seaside district, is a calming place where the ocean waves soothe the mind and encourage reflection. Yet, behind this serene environment lies a painful past. Armelle grew up in a modest family. Her elderly parents, living in the village, never had the means to give to her the comfort she hoped for. Seeking a better life for herself and her…

NASHVILLE, TN – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $31,761 in back wages and damages from a Tennessee operator of assisted living communities that illegally fired one worker for questioning the employer’s pay practices and denied full overtime wages to seven care workers.The department’s Wage and Hour Division found Family First LLC, owner of Bailey Manor, terminated an employee who questioned the facility’s pay practices. Investigators also determined the employer did not include pay for time spent on-call when calculating overtime wages for seven employees at its Manchester location for hours over 40 in a workweek, a violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.“The Wage…

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller: Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania, on September 4-5 to sign the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy, and of the Rule of Law, and to meet with senior government officials. For the first time in an international treaty, this Convention defines a shared baseline for rights-respecting AI activities by governments and affirms the relevance of existing human rights obligations to AI activities.  In a significant step toward building consensus on common responsible and rights-respecting practices related…

Reports list goods produced by child, forced labor; identify worst forms of child laborWASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced updates on the goods and products produced through the use of child or forced labor, the industries where children are exploited and how governments can combat these abuses.The department’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs has published the 11th edition of its “List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor” and the 23rd edition of the “Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor.” In addition to identifying the types of products, the industries involved and where…

The agency surveyed over 3500 young people in early June, the majority of whom believe their rights are rarely or never respected. “When I ask children if their rights in Haiti are being respected, the answer is often a resounding: “no”,” said Samarre Tercier Marcellin, Youth Advocate for UNICEF Haiti. “Children are abused, die of diseases and malnutrition that could be cured or prevented, and lack access to quality learning. This needs to change,” he added. Despite this stark reality, a shocking majority of youth respondents to the UNICEF survey still believe the future of children is brighter than it…

Yemen, 5 September – In response to the severe flooding and violent windstorms affecting nearly 562,000 people in Yemen, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched a USD 13.3 million appeal to deliver urgent life-saving assistance. The unprecedented weather events have compounded the humanitarian crisis in the country, leaving thousands of internally displaced persons and host communities in dire need of assistance.  “Yemen is facing yet another devastating chapter in its relentless crisis, exacerbated by the intersection of conflict and extreme weather events,” said Matt Huber, IOM Yemen’s Acting Chief of Mission. “IOM teams are on the ground, working…

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority and the Northern Border Regional Commission, today announced $49 million in grant awards to prepare workers for good-quality, secure jobs in high-demand industries in their communities. These awards deliver on the Biden-Harris administration’s promise to bring economic opportunity back to places that are too often left out or behind.The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative grants awarded today will support 35 projects across 18 states. Each grant ranges from $150,000 to $1.5 million. Nine of the WORC grants – totaling more than $12.5 million –…

Over the past two decades African leaders have become increasingly drawn to Chinese financing and investment. These investments are made rapidly and with reportedly less stringent conditions than traditional financing sources. Some also suggest that China’s approach aligns more closely with African priorities. This sentiment was summarised by the former president of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, in 2008: China’s approach to our needs is simply better adapted than the slow and sometimes patronising post-colonial approach of European investors, donor organisations and non-governmental organisations … China has helped African nations build infrastructure projects in record time. African leaders attending this year’s 8th…