Bureau of International Labor Affairs; Request for Information Concerning Labor Rights in Oman and Its Laws Governing Exploitative Child Labor, 2657-2658 [05-810]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2005 / Notices viewed on the Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS–ON–LINE) at https:// edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-impaired persons are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202–205–1810. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission instituted this investigation on April 14, 2004, based on a complaint filed on behalf of Zoran Corporation and Oak Technology, Inc. both of Sunnyvale, CA (collectively ‘‘complainants).’’ 69 FR 19876. The complaint, as supplemented, alleged violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 in the importation into the United States, the sale for importation, and the sale within the United States after importation of certain optical disk controller chips and chipsets and products containing same, including DVD players and PC optical storage devices, by reason of infringement of claims 1–12 of U.S. Patent No. 6,466,736 (the ‘736 patent), claims 1–3 of U.S. Patent No. 6,584,527, and claims 1–35 of U.S. Patent No. 6,546,440 (the ‘440 patent). The notice of investigation identified 12 respondents. On June 7, 2004, the ALJ issued an ID (Order No. 5) terminating the investigation as to two respondents on the basis of a consent order and settlement agreement. On June 22, 2004, the ALJ issued an ID (Order No. 7) granting complainants’ motion to amend the complaint and notice of investigation to add nine additional respondents. Those IDs were not reviewed by the Commission. On December 22, 2004, complainants moved pursuant to Commission rule 210.21(a) to terminate the investigation in part by withdrawal of the infringement allegations as to claims 2– 6, 8–10, and 11 of the ‘736 patent and claims 2–4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15–18, 20, 22– 34, and 35 of the ‘440 patent. No responses to the motion were filed. On December 22, 2004, the presiding administrative law judge issued an ID (Order No. 33) granting the motion. No petitions for review of the ID were filed. The authority for the Commission’s determination is contained in section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1337), and in section 210.42 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 210.42). INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF LABOR [Investigations Nos. 731–TA–339 and 340B– D, F, G, and I (Second Review)] Bureau of International Labor Affairs; Request for Information Concerning Labor Rights in Oman and Its Laws Governing Exploitative Child Labor Office of the Secretary Solid Urea From Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan United States International Trade Commission. AGENCY: Termination of five-year reviews. ACTION: SUMMARY: The subject five-year reviews were initiated in October 2004 to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty orders on solid urea from Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and of material injury to a domestic industry. On December 29, 2004, the Department of Commerce published notice that it was revoking the orders effective November 17, 2004 because ‘‘the domestic interested parties did not participate in these sunset reviews’’ (69 FR 77993). Accordingly, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)), the subject reviews are terminated. EFFECTIVE DATES: November 17, 2004. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Messer (202–205–3193), Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. Hearingimpaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202– 205–1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (https:// www.usitc.gov). Authority: These reviews are being terminated under authority of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930; this notice is published pursuant to section 207.69 of the Commission’s rules (19 CFR 207.69). By order of the Commission. Issued: January 11, 2005. Marilyn R. Abbott, Secretary to the Commission. [FR Doc. 05–806 Filed 1–13–05; 8:45 am] By order of the Commission. Issued: January 10, 2005. Marilyn R. Abbott, Secretary to the Commission. [FR Doc. 05–807 Filed 1–13–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020–02–P BILLING CODE 7020–02–P VerDate jul<14>2003 14:36 Jan 13, 2005 Jkt 205001 2657 PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Office of the Secretary, Labor; Office of the United States Trade Representative and Department of State. ACTION: Request for comments from the public. AGENCIES: SUMMARY: This notice is a request for comments from the public to assist the Secretary of Labor, the United States Trade Representative, and the Secretary of State in preparing reports regarding labor rights in Oman and describing the extent to which it has in effect laws governing exploitative child labor. The Trade Act of 2002 requires reports on these issues and others when the President intends to use trade promotion authority procedures in connection with legislation approving and implementing a trade agreement. The President assigned the functions of preparing reports regarding labor rights and the existence of laws governing exploitative child labor to the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the United States Trade Representative. The Secretary of Labor further assigned these functions to the Secretary of State and the United States Trade Representative, to be carried out by the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of State and the United States Trade Representative. DATES: Public comments should be received no later than 5 p.m. February 28, 2005. ADDRESSES: Persons submitting comments are strongly advised to make such submissions by electronic mail to the following address: FRFTAOman@dol.gov. Submissions by facsimile may be sent to: Betsy White, Office of International Economic Affairs, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, at (202) 693– 4851. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions regarding the submissions, please contact Betsy White, Office of International Economic Affairs, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, at (202) 693–4919, facsimile (202) 693– 4851. These are not toll-free numbers. Substantive questions concerning the labor rights report and/or the report on Oman’s laws governing exploitative child labor should be addressed to Jorge Perez-Lopez, Office of International Economic Affairs, Bureau of E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1 2658 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 10 / Friday, January 14, 2005 / Notices International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693–4883, facsimile (202) 693–4851. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background On November 15, 2004, in accordance with section 2104(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 2002, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) notified the Congress of the President’s intent to enter into free trade negotiations with Oman. The notification letters to the Senate and the House of Representatives can be found on the USTR Web site at https://www.ustr.gov/assets/ Document_Library/Letters_to_Congress/ 2004/asset_upload_file22_6743.pdf and https://www.ustr.gov/assets/ Document_Library/Letters_to_Congress/ 2004/asset_upload_file752_6742.pdf, respectively. In December, USTR announced its intention to hold a public hearing on January 14, 2005, for the interagency Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) to receive written comments and oral testimony from the public to assist USTR in formulating positions and proposals with respect to all aspects of the negotiations (69 FR 70498) (Dec. 6, 2004). USTR intends to launch the negotiations in March 2005. The Trade Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107– 210) (the Trade Act) sets forth special procedures (Trade Promotion Authority) for approval and implementation of Agreements subject to meeting conditions and requirements in Division B of the Trade Act, ‘‘Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority.’’ Section 2102(a)– (c) of the Trade Act includes negotiating objectives and a listing of priorities for the President to promote in order to ‘‘address and maintain United States competitiveness in the global economy’’ in pursuing future trade agreements. The President assigned several of the functions in section 2102(c) to the Secretary of Labor. (E.O. 13277). These include the functions set forth in section 2102(c)(8), which requires that the President ‘‘in connection with any trade negotiations entered into under this Act, submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a meaningful labor rights report of the country, or countries, with respect to which the President is negotiating,’’ and the function in section 2102(c)(9), which requires that the President ‘‘with respect to any trade agreement which the President seeks to implement under trade authorities procedures, submit to the Congress a report describing the extent to which VerDate jul<14>2003 14:36 Jan 13, 2005 Jkt 205001 the country or countries that are parties to the agreement have in effect laws governing exploitative child labor.’’ II. Information Sought Interested parties are invited to submit written information as specified below to be taken into account in drafting the required reports. Materials submitted should be confined to the specific topics of the reports. In particular, agencies are seeking written submissions on the following topics: 1. Labor laws of Oman, including laws governing exploitative child labor, and that country’s implementation and enforcement of its labor laws and regulations; 2. The situation in Oman with respect to core labor standards; 3. Steps taken by Oman to comply with International Labor Organization Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labor; and 4. The nature and extent, if any, of exploitative child labor in Oman. Section 2113(6) of the Trade Act defines ‘‘core labor standards’’ as: (A) The right of association; (B) The right to organize and bargain collectively; (C) A prohibition on the use of any form of forced or compulsory labor; (D) A minimum age for the employment of children; and (E) Acceptable conditions of work with respect to minimum wages, hours of work, and occupational safety and health. III. Requirements for Submissions This document is a request for facts or opinions submitted in response to a general solicitation of comments from the public. To ensure prompt and full consideration of submissions, we strongly recommend that interested persons submit comments by electronic mail to the following e-mail address: FRFTAOman@dol.gov. Persons making submissions by e-mail should use the following subject line: ‘‘Oman: Labor Rights and Child Labor Reports.’’ Documents should be submitted in WordPerfect, MSWord, or text (.TXT) format. Supporting documentation submitted as spreadsheets is acceptable in Quattro Pro or Excel format. Persons who make submissions by e-mail should not provide separate cover letters; information that might appear in a cover letter should be included in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent possible, any attachments to the submission should be included in the same file as the submission itself, and not as separate files. Written comments will be placed in a file open to public inspection at the Department of Labor, PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Room S–5317, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, and in the USTR Reading Room in Room 3 of the annex of the Office of the USTR, 1724 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508. An appointment to review the file at the Department of Labor may be made by contacting Betsy White at (202) 693– 4919. An appointment to review the file at USTR may be made by calling (202) 395–6186. The USTR Reading Room is generally open to the public from 10 a.m.–12 noon and 1–4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance. Signed at Washington, DC, this 10th of January 2005. Arnold Levine, Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs. [FR Doc. 05–810 Filed 1–13–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–28–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Bureau of International Labor Affairs; Request for Information Concerning Labor Rights in the United Arab Emirates and Its Laws Governing Exploitative Child Labor Office of the Secretary, Labor; Office of the United States Trade Representative and Department of State. AGENCIES: ACTION: Request for comments from the public. SUMMARY: This notice is a request for comments from the public to assist the Secretary of Labor, the United States Trade Representative, and the Secretary of State in preparing reports regarding labor rights in the United Arab Emirates and describing the extent to which it has in effect laws governing exploitative child labor. The Trade Act of 2002 requires reports on these issues and others when the President intends to use trade promotion authority procedures in connection with legislation approving and implementing a trade agreement. The President assigned the functions of preparing reports regarding labor rights and the existence of laws governing exploitative child labor to the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the United States Trade Representative. The Secretary of Labor further assigned these functions to the Secretary of State and the United States Trade Representative, to be carried out by the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of State and the United States Trade Representative. E:\FR\FM\14JAN1.SGM 14JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 10 (Friday, January 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2657-2658]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-810]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Bureau of International Labor Affairs; Request for Information 
Concerning Labor Rights in Oman and Its Laws Governing Exploitative 
Child Labor

AGENCIES: Office of the Secretary, Labor; Office of the United States 
Trade Representative and Department of State.

ACTION: Request for comments from the public.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice is a request for comments from the public to 
assist the Secretary of Labor, the United States Trade Representative, 
and the Secretary of State in preparing reports regarding labor rights 
in Oman and describing the extent to which it has in effect laws 
governing exploitative child labor. The Trade Act of 2002 requires 
reports on these issues and others when the President intends to use 
trade promotion authority procedures in connection with legislation 
approving and implementing a trade agreement. The President assigned 
the functions of preparing reports regarding labor rights and the 
existence of laws governing exploitative child labor to the Secretary 
of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the United 
States Trade Representative. The Secretary of Labor further assigned 
these functions to the Secretary of State and the United States Trade 
Representative, to be carried out by the Secretary of Labor, the 
Secretary of State and the United States Trade Representative.

DATES: Public comments should be received no later than 5 p.m. February 
28, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Persons submitting comments are strongly advised to make 
such submissions by electronic mail to the following address: 
FRFTAOman@dol.gov. Submissions by facsimile may be sent to: Betsy 
White, Office of International Economic Affairs, Bureau of 
International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, at (202) 693-
4851.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For procedural questions regarding the 
submissions, please contact Betsy White, Office of International 
Economic Affairs, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. 
Department of Labor, at (202) 693-4919, facsimile (202) 693-4851. These 
are not toll-free numbers. Substantive questions concerning the labor 
rights report and/or the report on Oman's laws governing exploitative 
child labor should be addressed to Jorge Perez-Lopez, Office of 
International Economic Affairs, Bureau of

[[Page 2658]]

International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693-4883, facsimile 
(202) 693-4851.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On November 15, 2004, in accordance with section 2104(a)(1) of the 
Trade Act of 2002, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) 
notified the Congress of the President's intent to enter into free 
trade negotiations with Oman. The notification letters to the Senate 
and the House of Representatives can be found on the USTR Web site at 
https://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Letters_to_Congress/
2004/asset_upload_file22_6743.pdf and https://www.ustr.gov/assets/
Document_Library/Letters_to_Congress/2004/asset_upload_file752_
6742.pdf, respectively. In December, USTR announced its intention to 
hold a public hearing on January 14, 2005, for the interagency Trade 
Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) to receive written comments and oral 
testimony from the public to assist USTR in formulating positions and 
proposals with respect to all aspects of the negotiations (69 FR 70498) 
(Dec. 6, 2004). USTR intends to launch the negotiations in March 2005.
    The Trade Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-210) (the Trade Act) sets forth 
special procedures (Trade Promotion Authority) for approval and 
implementation of Agreements subject to meeting conditions and 
requirements in Division B of the Trade Act, ``Bipartisan Trade 
Promotion Authority.'' Section 2102(a)-(c) of the Trade Act includes 
negotiating objectives and a listing of priorities for the President to 
promote in order to ``address and maintain United States 
competitiveness in the global economy'' in pursuing future trade 
agreements. The President assigned several of the functions in section 
2102(c) to the Secretary of Labor. (E.O. 13277). These include the 
functions set forth in section 2102(c)(8), which requires that the 
President ``in connection with any trade negotiations entered into 
under this Act, submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a 
meaningful labor rights report of the country, or countries, with 
respect to which the President is negotiating,'' and the function in 
section 2102(c)(9), which requires that the President ``with respect to 
any trade agreement which the President seeks to implement under trade 
authorities procedures, submit to the Congress a report describing the 
extent to which the country or countries that are parties to the 
agreement have in effect laws governing exploitative child labor.''

II. Information Sought

    Interested parties are invited to submit written information as 
specified below to be taken into account in drafting the required 
reports. Materials submitted should be confined to the specific topics 
of the reports. In particular, agencies are seeking written submissions 
on the following topics:
    1. Labor laws of Oman, including laws governing exploitative child 
labor, and that country's implementation and enforcement of its labor 
laws and regulations;
    2. The situation in Oman with respect to core labor standards;
    3. Steps taken by Oman to comply with International Labor 
Organization Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labor; and
    4. The nature and extent, if any, of exploitative child labor in 
Oman.
    Section 2113(6) of the Trade Act defines ``core labor standards'' 
as:
    (A) The right of association;
    (B) The right to organize and bargain collectively;
    (C) A prohibition on the use of any form of forced or compulsory 
labor;
    (D) A minimum age for the employment of children; and
    (E) Acceptable conditions of work with respect to minimum wages, 
hours of work, and occupational safety and health.

III. Requirements for Submissions

    This document is a request for facts or opinions submitted in 
response to a general solicitation of comments from the public. To 
ensure prompt and full consideration of submissions, we strongly 
recommend that interested persons submit comments by electronic mail to 
the following e-mail address: FRFTAOman@dol.gov. Persons making 
submissions by e-mail should use the following subject line: ``Oman: 
Labor Rights and Child Labor Reports.'' Documents should be submitted 
in WordPerfect, MSWord, or text (.TXT) format. Supporting documentation 
submitted as spreadsheets is acceptable in Quattro Pro or Excel format. 
Persons who make submissions by e-mail should not provide separate 
cover letters; information that might appear in a cover letter should 
be included in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent 
possible, any attachments to the submission should be included in the 
same file as the submission itself, and not as separate files. Written 
comments will be placed in a file open to public inspection at the 
Department of Labor, Room S-5317, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210, and in the USTR Reading Room in Room 3 of the 
annex of the Office of the USTR, 1724 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20508. An appointment to review the file at the Department of Labor may 
be made by contacting Betsy White at (202) 693-4919. An appointment to 
review the file at USTR may be made by calling (202) 395-6186. The USTR 
Reading Room is generally open to the public from 10 a.m.-12 noon and 
1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments must be scheduled at 
least 48 hours in advance.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 10th of January 2005.
Arnold Levine,
Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 05-810 Filed 1-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-28-P
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