Notice of Public Hearing To Collect Information To Assist in the Development of the List of Goods From Countries Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor, 21985-21987 [E8-8709]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 23, 2008 / Notices No other changes have been made in either the membership or planned activity of the group research project. Membership in this group research project remains open, and Advanced Media Workflow Association, Inc. intends to file additional written notifications disclosing all changes in membership. On March 28, 2000, Advanced Media Workflow Association, Inc. filed its original notification pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act. The Department of Justice published a notice in the Federal Register pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Act on June 29, 2000 (65 FR 40127). The last notification was filed with the Department on December 18, 2007. A notice was published in the Federal Register pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Act on January 22, 2008 (73 FR 3755). Patricia A. Brink, Deputy Director of Operations, Antitrust Division. [FR Doc. E8–8628 Filed 4–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES April 17, 2008. The Department of Labor (DOL) hereby announces the submission of the following public information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35). A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting documentation; including among other things a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the RegInfo.gov Web site at https://www.reginfo.gov/ public/do/PRAMain or by contacting Darrin King on 202–693–4129 (this is not a toll-free number)/e-mail: king.darrin@dol.gov. Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: 202–395–7316/Fax: 202–395–6974 (these are not a toll-free numbers), Email: OIRAlsubmission@omb.eop.gov within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register. In order to ensure the appropriate VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:58 Apr 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 consideration, comments should reference the OMB Control Number (see below). The OMB is particularly interested in comments which: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Type of Review: Extension without change of a previously approved collection. Title: Producer Price Index Survey. OMB Control Number: 1220–0100. Affected Public: Business or other forprofits. Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,400. Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 12,800. Total Estimated Annual Costs Burden: $0. Description: The Producer Price Index (PPI), one of the Nation’s leading economic indicators, is used as a measure of price movements, as an indicator of inflationary trends, for inventory valuation, and as a measure of purchasing power of the dollar at the primary market level. It also is used for market and economic research and as a basis for escalation in long-term contracts and purchase agreements. The purpose of the PPI collection is to accumulate data for the ongoing monthly publication of the PPI family of indexes. For addition information, see related notice published at 73 FR 15 on January 23, 2008. Darrin A. King, Acting Departmental Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E8–8703 Filed 4–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–24–P PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21985 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Notice of Public Hearing To Collect Information To Assist in the Development of the List of Goods From Countries Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Department of Labor. ACTION: Notice of public hearing to collect information to assist in the development of a list of goods from countries produced by child labor or forced labor in violation of international standards; request for submission of testimony. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (‘‘DOL’’) will hold a public hearing for the purpose of gathering factual information regarding the use of child labor and forced labor worldwide in the production of goods at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2008. The hearing will take place in the Auditorium of the Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington DC 20210, and will be open to the public. This hearing is conducted pursuant to section 105(b)(1) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (‘‘TVPRA of 2005’’), Public Law 109– 164 (2006), and as set forth in the Notice of Procedural Guidelines for the Development and Maintenance of the List of Goods From Countries Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor (‘‘Guidelines’’), 72 FR 73374 (December 27, 2007). All members of the public attending the hearing must register by May 14 in order to facilitate building security. DOL is now accepting requests from all interested parties to provide oral and/or written testimony and/or exhibits at the hearing. Each presentation will be limited to 10 minutes and must be submitted in writing to the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking by May 7. The Department is not able to provide financial assistance to those wishing to travel to attend the hearing. Those unable to attend the hearing are invited to submit written testimony. Please refer to the DATES, FURTHER INFORMATION, and ‘‘Scope of Interest’’ sections of this Notice for additional instructions on registration, notification, and submission requirements. The DOL Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking (‘‘Office’’) is currently developing a list of goods (‘‘the List’’) from countries that the Office has reason to believe are produced by child labor or forced labor E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM 23APN1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES 21986 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 23, 2008 / Notices in violation of international standards. DOL is required to develop and make available to the public the List pursuant to the TVPRA of 2005. Information provided at the hearing will be considered by the Office in developing the List. Testimony should be confined to the specific topic of the use of child labor and forced labor in the production of goods internationally, as well as information on government, industry, or third-party actions and initiatives to address these problems. The Office is particularly interested in information tending to demonstrate the presence or absence of a significant incidence of child labor or forced labor in the production of a particular good. DATES: The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2008. Parties who intend to present testimony at the hearing must notify DOL of their intention to appear, in writing, by 5 p.m., April 30. Presenters will be required to submit four written copies of their full testimony in English and all documentary evidence and/or exhibits to the Office by 5 p.m., May 7. Those attending but not presenting at the hearing must register by May 14. The record will be kept open for additional written testimony until 5 p.m., June 11, 2008. Information received after that date may not be taken into consideration in developing the initial List, but will be considered by the Office as the List is maintained and updated in the future. To Give Notice of Intention To Appear, Submit Written Testimony, or for Further Information, Contact: Charita Castro, Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor at (202) 693– 4843 (this is not a toll-free number). Written testimony and documentary evidence may be submitted by the following methods: • Facsimile (fax): Permitted for submissions of 10 pages or fewer. ILAB/ Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking at 202–693–4830. • Mail, Express Delivery, Hand Delivery, and Messenger Service: Charita Castro/Leyla Strotkamp at U.S. Department of Labor, ILAB/Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S–5317, Washington, DC 20210. • E-mail: ilab-tvpra@dol.gov. Note that security-related problems may result in significant delays in receiving materials by mail. To Register To Attend the Hearing, Contact: Leyla Strotkamp, Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking, Bureau of International VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:58 Apr 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor at (202) 693–4813 or Strotkamp.Leyla@dol.gov. Please provide Ms. Strotkamp with attendees’ contact information, including name, organization, address, phone number, and e-mail address. Opportunity To Appear: The hearing is open to the public, and all interested parties are welcome to attend. However, only a party who files a complete notice of intention to appear will be able to present at the hearing. The presiding official reserves the right to limit oral statements in the interest of time and to otherwise keep the hearing focused. Special Accommodations: Persons who wish to request any of the following accommodations should contact Ms. Strotkamp by April 30: a presentation that exceeds 10 minutes; technical assistance for a presentation; submission of exhibits or other physical evidence for the record; or accommodation of a disability. For presentations that exceed 10 minutes and/or include the submission of evidence, ILAB will review each submission and determine if it warrants the additional time requested. If ILAB believes the requested additional time is excessive, it will allocate an appropriate amount of time to the presentation, and notify the participant before the hearing. ILAB may limit to 10 minutes the presentation of any participant who fails to comply substantially with these procedural requirements; ILAB may request any participant to return for additional questioning at a later time. Scope of Interest: DOL requests information that is current and directly addresses the nature and extent of child labor or forced labor in the production of goods, or the nature and extent of actions and initiatives to combat child labor and forced labor. Governments that have ratified International Labor Organization (‘‘ILO’’) Convention 138 (Minimum Age), Convention 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labor), Convention 29 (Forced Labor) and/or Convention 105 (Abolition of Forced Labor) may wish to submit relevant copies of their responses to any Observations or Direct Requests by the ILO’s Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations. Exhibits submitted may include studies, reports, statistics, new articles, electronic media, or other sources, as set forth in section ‘‘Information Requested on Child Labor and Forced Labor’’ of 72 FR 73374 (December 27, 2007). Submitters of oral or written testimony should take into consideration the ‘‘Sources of Information and Factors Considered in the Development and Maintenance of the List’’ (Section A of PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the Procedural Guidelines), as well as the definitions of child labor and forced labor contained in Section C of the Guidelines. Refer to 72 FR 73374 (December 27, 2007). Where applicable, testimony providing factual information should indicate its source or sources, and copies of the source material should be provided. If primary sources are utilized, such as research studies, interviews, direct observations, or other sources of quantitative or qualitative data, details on the research or datagathering methodology should be provided. Written testimony, and written copies of oral testimony, should be submitted to the addresses and by the deadlines set forth above. Submissions made via fax, mail, express delivery, hand delivery, or messenger service should clearly identify the person filing the submission and should be signed and dated. Submissions made via mail, express delivery, hand delivery, or messenger service should include an original plus three copies of all materials and attachments. If possible, submitters should also provide copies of such materials and attachments on a CD–ROM or similar electronic media. Note that security-related screening may result in significant delays in receiving comments and other written materials submitted by regular mail. Government classified information will not be accepted. The Office may request that classified information brought to its attention be declassified. Submissions containing confidential or personal information may be redacted by the Office before being made available to the public, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The Official Record of this Public Hearing, including statements submitted for the record, will be published and made available to the public on the DOL Web site. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 105(b)(1) of the TVPRA of 2005, Public Law 109–164 (2006), directed the Secretary of Labor, acting through the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, to ‘‘carry out additional activities to monitor and combat forced labor and child labor in foreign countries.’’ Section 105(b)(2) of the TVPRA, 22 U.S.C. 7112(b)(2), listed these activities as: (A) Monitor the use of forced labor and child labor in violation of international standards; (B) Provide information regarding trafficking in persons for the purpose of forced labor to the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking of the Department of E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM 23APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 79 / Wednesday, April 23, 2008 / Notices mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES State for inclusion in [the] trafficking in persons report required by section 110(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7107(b)); (C) Develop and make available to the public a list of goods from countries that the Bureau of International Labor Affairs has reason to believe are produced by forced labor or child labor in violation of international standards; (D) Work with persons who are involved in the production of goods on the list described in subparagraph (C) to create a standard set of practices that will reduce the likelihood that such persons will produce goods using the labor described in such subparagraph; and (E) Consult with other departments and agencies of the United States Government to reduce forced labor and child labor internationally and ensure that products made by forced labor and child labor in violation of international standards are not imported into the United States. The Office carries out the DOL mandates in the TVPRA. The Guidelines provide the framework for ILAB’s implementation of the TVPRA mandate, and establish procedures for the submission and review of information and the process for developing and maintaining the List. In addition to the Office’s efforts under the TVPRA, the Office conducts and publishes research on child labor and forced labor worldwide. The Office consults such sources as DOL’s Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor; the Department of State’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and Trafficking in Persons Report; reports by governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations; and reports by academic and research institutions and other sources. The Office will evaluate all information received according to the processes outlined in the published Guidelines, 72 FR 73374 (December 27, 2007). Goods that meet the criteria outlined in the Guidelines will be placed on an initial List, and published in the Federal Register and on the DOL Web site. DOL intends to maintain and update the List over time, through its own research, interagency consultations, and additional public submissions of information. Signed at Washington, DC, this 17th day of April, 2008. Charlotte M. Ponticelli, Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs. [FR Doc. E8–8709 Filed 4–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–28–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:58 Apr 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employee Benefits Security Administration Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; PTE 86–128 ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (Department), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of a currently approved collection of information, Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 86–128 for certain transactions involving employee benefit plans and securities brokerdealers. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addresses section below on or before June 23, 2008. ADDRESSES: Interested parties are invited to submit written comments regarding the collection of information. Send comments to Mr. G. Christopher Cosby, Office of Policy and Research, U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N– 5718, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693–8410 Fax: (202) 219–4745 (These are not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 86–128 permits persons who serve as fiduciaries for employee benefit plans to effect or execute securities transactions on behalf of employee benefit plans. The exemption also allows sponsors of pooled separate PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21987 accounts and other pooled investment funds to use their affiliates to effect or execute securities transactions for such accounts in order to recapture brokerage commissions for benefit of employee benefit plans whose assets are maintained in pooled separate accounts managed by the insurance companies. This exemption provides relief from certain prohibitions in section 406(b) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and from the taxes imposed by section 4975(a) and (b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code) by reason of Code section 4975(c)(1)(E) or (F). In order to insure that the exemption is not abused, that the rights of participants and beneficiaries are protected, and that the exemption’s conditions are being complied with, the Department has included in the exemption five information collection requirements. The first requirement is written authorization executed in advance by an independent fiduciary of the plan whose assets are involved in the transaction with the brokerfiduciary. The second requirement is, within three months of the authorization, the broker-fiduciary furnish the independent fiduciary with any reasonably available information necessary for the independent fiduciary to determine whether an authorization should be made. The information must include a copy of the exemption, a form for termination, and a description of the broker-fiduciary’s brokerage placement practices. The third requirement is that the broker-fiduciary must provide a termination form to the independent fiduciary annually so that the independent fiduciary may terminate the authorization without penalty to the plan; failure to return the form constitutes continuing authorization. The fourth requirement is for the brokerfiduciary to report all transactions to the independent fiduciary, either by confirmation slips or through quarterly reports. The fifth requirement calls for the broker-fiduciary to provide an annual summary of the transactions. The annual summary must contain all security transaction-related charges incurred by the plan, the brokerage placement practices, and a portfolio turnover ratio. II. Review Focus The Department is particularly interested in comments that: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; E:\FR\FM\23APN1.SGM 23APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21985-21987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8709]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Public Hearing To Collect Information To Assist in the 
Development of the List of Goods From Countries Produced by Child Labor 
or Forced Labor

AGENCY: Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing to collect information to assist in 
the development of a list of goods from countries produced by child 
labor or forced labor in violation of international standards; request 
for submission of testimony.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (``DOL'') will hold a public hearing 
for the purpose of gathering factual information regarding the use of 
child labor and forced labor worldwide in the production of goods at 
10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2008. The hearing will take place in 
the Auditorium of the Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of 
Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington DC 20210, and will be 
open to the public. This hearing is conducted pursuant to section 
105(b)(1) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 
2005 (``TVPRA of 2005''), Public Law 109-164 (2006), and as set forth 
in the Notice of Procedural Guidelines for the Development and 
Maintenance of the List of Goods From Countries Produced by Child Labor 
or Forced Labor (``Guidelines''), 72 FR 73374 (December 27, 2007). All 
members of the public attending the hearing must register by May 14 in 
order to facilitate building security. DOL is now accepting requests 
from all interested parties to provide oral and/or written testimony 
and/or exhibits at the hearing. Each presentation will be limited to 10 
minutes and must be submitted in writing to the Office of Child Labor, 
Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking by May 7. The Department is not 
able to provide financial assistance to those wishing to travel to 
attend the hearing. Those unable to attend the hearing are invited to 
submit written testimony. Please refer to the DATES, FURTHER 
INFORMATION, and ``Scope of Interest'' sections of this Notice for 
additional instructions on registration, notification, and submission 
requirements.
    The DOL Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking 
(``Office'') is currently developing a list of goods (``the List'') 
from countries that the Office has reason to believe are produced by 
child labor or forced labor

[[Page 21986]]

in violation of international standards. DOL is required to develop and 
make available to the public the List pursuant to the TVPRA of 2005. 
Information provided at the hearing will be considered by the Office in 
developing the List. Testimony should be confined to the specific topic 
of the use of child labor and forced labor in the production of goods 
internationally, as well as information on government, industry, or 
third-party actions and initiatives to address these problems. The 
Office is particularly interested in information tending to demonstrate 
the presence or absence of a significant incidence of child labor or 
forced labor in the production of a particular good.

DATES: The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2008. Parties 
who intend to present testimony at the hearing must notify DOL of their 
intention to appear, in writing, by 5 p.m., April 30. Presenters will 
be required to submit four written copies of their full testimony in 
English and all documentary evidence and/or exhibits to the Office by 5 
p.m., May 7. Those attending but not presenting at the hearing must 
register by May 14. The record will be kept open for additional written 
testimony until 5 p.m., June 11, 2008. Information received after that 
date may not be taken into consideration in developing the initial 
List, but will be considered by the Office as the List is maintained 
and updated in the future.
    To Give Notice of Intention To Appear, Submit Written Testimony, or 
for Further Information, Contact: Charita Castro, Office of Child 
Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking, Bureau of International 
Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor at (202) 693-4843 (this is not 
a toll-free number). Written testimony and documentary evidence may be 
submitted by the following methods:
     Facsimile (fax): Permitted for submissions of 10 pages or 
fewer. ILAB/Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking 
at 202-693-4830.
     Mail, Express Delivery, Hand Delivery, and Messenger 
Service: Charita Castro/Leyla Strotkamp at U.S. Department of Labor, 
ILAB/Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-5317, Washington, DC 20210.
     E-mail: ilab-tvpra@dol.gov.
Note that security-related problems may result in significant delays in 
receiving materials by mail.
    To Register To Attend the Hearing, Contact: Leyla Strotkamp, Office 
of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking, Bureau of 
International Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor at (202) 693-4813 or 
Strotkamp.Leyla@dol.gov. Please provide Ms. Strotkamp with attendees' 
contact information, including name, organization, address, phone 
number, and e-mail address.
    Opportunity To Appear: The hearing is open to the public, and all 
interested parties are welcome to attend. However, only a party who 
files a complete notice of intention to appear will be able to present 
at the hearing. The presiding official reserves the right to limit oral 
statements in the interest of time and to otherwise keep the hearing 
focused.
    Special Accommodations: Persons who wish to request any of the 
following accommodations should contact Ms. Strotkamp by April 30: a 
presentation that exceeds 10 minutes; technical assistance for a 
presentation; submission of exhibits or other physical evidence for the 
record; or accommodation of a disability.
    For presentations that exceed 10 minutes and/or include the 
submission of evidence, ILAB will review each submission and determine 
if it warrants the additional time requested. If ILAB believes the 
requested additional time is excessive, it will allocate an appropriate 
amount of time to the presentation, and notify the participant before 
the hearing. ILAB may limit to 10 minutes the presentation of any 
participant who fails to comply substantially with these procedural 
requirements; ILAB may request any participant to return for additional 
questioning at a later time.
    Scope of Interest: DOL requests information that is current and 
directly addresses the nature and extent of child labor or forced labor 
in the production of goods, or the nature and extent of actions and 
initiatives to combat child labor and forced labor. Governments that 
have ratified International Labor Organization (``ILO'') Convention 138 
(Minimum Age), Convention 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labor), Convention 
29 (Forced Labor) and/or Convention 105 (Abolition of Forced Labor) may 
wish to submit relevant copies of their responses to any Observations 
or Direct Requests by the ILO's Committee of Experts on the Application 
of Conventions and Recommendations. Exhibits submitted may include 
studies, reports, statistics, new articles, electronic media, or other 
sources, as set forth in section ``Information Requested on Child Labor 
and Forced Labor'' of 72 FR 73374 (December 27, 2007). Submitters of 
oral or written testimony should take into consideration the ``Sources 
of Information and Factors Considered in the Development and 
Maintenance of the List'' (Section A of the Procedural Guidelines), as 
well as the definitions of child labor and forced labor contained in 
Section C of the Guidelines. Refer to 72 FR 73374 (December 27, 2007).
    Where applicable, testimony providing factual information should 
indicate its source or sources, and copies of the source material 
should be provided. If primary sources are utilized, such as research 
studies, interviews, direct observations, or other sources of 
quantitative or qualitative data, details on the research or data-
gathering methodology should be provided.
    Written testimony, and written copies of oral testimony, should be 
submitted to the addresses and by the deadlines set forth above. 
Submissions made via fax, mail, express delivery, hand delivery, or 
messenger service should clearly identify the person filing the 
submission and should be signed and dated. Submissions made via mail, 
express delivery, hand delivery, or messenger service should include an 
original plus three copies of all materials and attachments. If 
possible, submitters should also provide copies of such materials and 
attachments on a CD-ROM or similar electronic media. Note that 
security-related screening may result in significant delays in 
receiving comments and other written materials submitted by regular 
mail.
    Government classified information will not be accepted. The Office 
may request that classified information brought to its attention be 
declassified. Submissions containing confidential or personal 
information may be redacted by the Office before being made available 
to the public, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The 
Official Record of this Public Hearing, including statements submitted 
for the record, will be published and made available to the public on 
the DOL Web site.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 105(b)(1) of the TVPRA of 2005, 
Public Law 109-164 (2006), directed the Secretary of Labor, acting 
through the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, to ``carry out 
additional activities to monitor and combat forced labor and child 
labor in foreign countries.'' Section 105(b)(2) of the TVPRA, 22 U.S.C. 
7112(b)(2), listed these activities as:
    (A) Monitor the use of forced labor and child labor in violation of 
international standards;
    (B) Provide information regarding trafficking in persons for the 
purpose of forced labor to the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking 
of the Department of

[[Page 21987]]

State for inclusion in [the] trafficking in persons report required by 
section 110(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 
U.S.C. 7107(b));
    (C) Develop and make available to the public a list of goods from 
countries that the Bureau of International Labor Affairs has reason to 
believe are produced by forced labor or child labor in violation of 
international standards;
    (D) Work with persons who are involved in the production of goods 
on the list described in subparagraph (C) to create a standard set of 
practices that will reduce the likelihood that such persons will 
produce goods using the labor described in such subparagraph; and
    (E) Consult with other departments and agencies of the United 
States Government to reduce forced labor and child labor 
internationally and ensure that products made by forced labor and child 
labor in violation of international standards are not imported into the 
United States.
    The Office carries out the DOL mandates in the TVPRA. The 
Guidelines provide the framework for ILAB's implementation of the TVPRA 
mandate, and establish procedures for the submission and review of 
information and the process for developing and maintaining the List. In 
addition to the Office's efforts under the TVPRA, the Office conducts 
and publishes research on child labor and forced labor worldwide. The 
Office consults such sources as DOL's Findings on the Worst Forms of 
Child Labor; the Department of State's annual Country Reports on Human 
Rights Practices and Trafficking in Persons Report; reports by 
governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations; and 
reports by academic and research institutions and other sources.
    The Office will evaluate all information received according to the 
processes outlined in the published Guidelines, 72 FR 73374 (December 
27, 2007). Goods that meet the criteria outlined in the Guidelines will 
be placed on an initial List, and published in the Federal Register and 
on the DOL Web site. DOL intends to maintain and update the List over 
time, through its own research, interagency consultations, and 
additional public submissions of information.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 17th day of April, 2008.
Charlotte M. Ponticelli,
Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs.
 [FR Doc. E8-8709 Filed 4-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-28-P
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