Bureau of International Labor Affairs; Office of Trade and Labor Affairs; Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement; Notice of Determination Regarding Review of Submission #2008-01, 34793-34794 [E8-13676]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 18, 2008 / Notices
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: Employee Benefits Security
Administration.
Type of Review: Extension without
change of currently approved collection.
Title: Alternative Method of
Compliance for Certain Simplified
Employee Pensions.
OMB Number: 1210–0034.
Affected Public: Private Sector—
Business or other for-profits
Total Estimated Number of
Respondents: 35,660.
Total Estimated Annual Burden
Hours: 21,227.
Total Estimated Annual Costs Burden:
$31,297.
Description: Section 110 of the
Employee Retirement Income Security
Act (ERISA) authorizes the Secretary of
Labor to prescribe alternative methods
of compliance with the reporting and
disclosure requirements of Title I of
ERISA for pension plans. The
Department’s regulations at 29 CFR
2520.104–49 provide an alternative
method of disclosure for sponsors of
certain types of Simplified Employee
Pensions that is easier to comply with
than otherwise required under ERISA.
For additional information, see related
notice published at 73 FR 18003 on
April 4, 2008.
Darrin A. King,
Acting Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. E8–13653 Filed 6–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–29–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Secretary
Bureau of International Labor Affairs;
Office of Trade and Labor Affairs;
Central America—Dominican
Republic—United States Free Trade
Agreement; Notice of Determination
Regarding Review of Submission
#2008–01
Bureau of International Labor
Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Office of Trade and Labor
Affairs (OTLA) gives notice that on June
12, 2008, Submission #2008–01 was
accepted for review pursuant to Article
16.4.3 of Chapter Sixteen (the Labor
Chapter) of the Central America—
Dominican Republic—United States
Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA–DR).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:01 Jun 17, 2008
Jkt 214001
The submission was filed with the
OTLA on April 23, 2008 by the
American Federation of Labor and
Congress of Industrial Organizations
(AFL–CIO) and a group of six
Guatemalan trade unions. The
submission alleges the Government of
Guatemala has violated Articles 16.1.1,
16.2.1(a), and 16.3.1 of the Labor
Chapter of the CAFTA–DR with respect
to five separate cases. In these cases, the
submission alleges that the Government
of Guatemala failed to enforce its laws
with regard to the right of association
and the right to organize and bargain
collectively. The submission alleges acts
of violence against trade unionists,
including two instances of murder. In
addition, there are further allegations of
failure to enforce laws relating to nonpayment of severance and social
security benefits. These allegations were
supported by specific factual
descriptions which, if substantiated,
could demonstrate that the Government
of Guatemala’s actions were
inconsistent with its commitments
under the Labor Chapter.
The objectives of the review of the
submission will be to gather information
to assist the OTLA to better understand
and publicly report on the issues raised
by the submission.
DATES: June 12, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gregory Schoepfle, Director, Office of
Trade and Labor Affairs, U.S.
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Room S–5303,
Washington, DC 20210. Telephone:
(202) 693–4900 (this is not a toll-free
number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Article
16.4.3 of the Labor Chapter of the
CAFTA–DR establishes that each Party’s
contact point shall provide for the
submission, receipt, and consideration
of communications from persons of a
Party on matters related to provisions of
the Labor Chapter and shall review such
communications in accordance with
domestic procedures. The Department
of Labor’s Office of Trade Agreement
Implementation, which in December
2006 was reestablished as the OTLA in
a Federal Register notice (71 FR 76691
(2006)), was designated as the office to
serve as the contact point for
implementing the CAFTA–DR’s labor
provisions. The same Federal Register
notice informed the public of the
Procedural Guidelines that the OTLA
would follow for the receipt and review
of public submissions. According to the
definitions contained in the Procedural
Guidelines (Section B) a ‘‘submission,’’
as used in the guidelines, means ‘‘a
communication from the public
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Frm 00096
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
34793
containing specific allegations,
accompanied by relevant supporting
information, that another Party has
failed to meet its commitments or
obligations arising under a labor
chapter.’’* * *
On April 23, 2008, Submission
#2008–01 was filed with the OTLA by
the American Federation of Labor and
Congress of Industrial Organizations
(AFL–CIO) and a group of Guatemalan
trade unions composed of the Union of
Port Quetzal Company Workers
(STEPQ), the Union of Izabal Banana
Workers (SITRABI), the Union of
International Frozen Products, Inc.
Workers (SITRAINPROCSA), the
Coalition of Avandia Workers, the
Union of Fribo Company Workers
(SITRAFRIBO), and the Federation of
Food and Similar Industries Workers of
Guatemala (FESTRAS).
The submission alleges first that the
Government of Guatemala has violated
Article 16.1.1 of the CAFTA–DR Labor
Chapter in which the Parties reaffirm
their obligations as members of the
International Labor Organization (ILO)
and their commitments under the ILO
Declaration on Fundamental Principles
and Rights at Work (1998), and agree to
strive to ensure that the Declaration’s
principles and the internationally
recognized labor rights set forth in
Article 16.8 are recognized and
protected by its law. Second, the
submission alleges that the Government
of Guatemala has violated Article
16.2.1(a) which states, ‘‘A Party shall
not fail to effectively enforce its labor
laws, through a sustained or recurring
course of action or inaction, in a manner
affecting trade between the Parties, after
the date of entry into force of [the
CAFTA–DR].’’ Third, the submission
alleges that the Government of
Guatemala has violated Article 16.3.1,
which states, ‘‘Each Party shall ensure
that persons with a legally recognized
interest under its law in a particular
matter have appropriate access to
tribunals for the enforcement of the
Party’s labor laws.’’* * *
To support these allegations, the
submission outlines five separate cases
in which it alleges that workers were
prevented from exercising their right of
association and the right to organize and
bargain collectively. In several of the
cases, serious acts of violence and
intimidation are alleged, including
murder. Furthermore, the submission
alleges that domestic labor laws, which
would have protected these workers’
rights, were not enforced. The
submission also alleges a failure to
enforce labor laws relating to payments
to the Guatemalan Social Security
Institute (the health care system) in two
E:\FR\FM\18JNN1.SGM
18JNN1
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
34794
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 18, 2008 / Notices
instances and appropriate legal
severance payments in one instance.
The Procedural Guidelines for the
OTLA, published in the Federal
Register on December 14, 2006, 71 FR
76691, 76695, specify that the OTLA
shall consider six factors, to the extent
that they are relevant, in determining
whether to accept a submission for
review. As relating to FTAs, these are as
follows: (a) Whether the submission
raises issues relevant to any matter
arising under a labor chapter; (b)
whether a review would further the
objectives of a labor chapter; (c) whether
the submission clearly identifies the
person filing the submission, is signed
and dated, and is sufficiently specific to
determine the nature of the request and
permit an appropriate review; (d)
whether the statements contained in the
submission, if substantiated, would
constitute a failure of the other Party to
comply with its obligations or
commitments under a labor chapter; (e)
whether the statements contained in the
submission or available information
demonstrate that appropriate relief has
been sought under the domestic laws of
the other Party, or that the matter or a
related matter is pending before an
international body; and (f) whether the
submission is substantially similar to a
recent submission and significant, new
information has been furnished that
would substantially differentiate the
submission from the one previously
filed.
The OTLA has taken these factors into
account and has accepted the
submission for review for several
reasons. The submission raises issues
relevant to the CAFTA–DR Labor
Chapter and a review of these issues
would further the objectives of the
Labor Chapter. The submission clearly
identifies the person filing the
submission, is signed and dated, and is
sufficiently specific to determine the
nature of the request and permit an
appropriate review. If substantiated, the
statements in the submission could
constitute a failure on the part of
Guatemala, a Party to the CAFTA–DR, to
comply with its obligations or
commitments under the Labor Chapter,
and could demonstrate that relief has
been sought under the domestic laws.
The OTLA’s decision to accept the
submission for review is not intended to
indicate any determination as to the
validity or accuracy of the allegations
contained in the submission. The
objectives of the review will be to gather
information to assist the OTLA to better
understand and publicly report on the
issues raised by the submission. The
review will be completed and a public
report issued within 180 days, unless
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:01 Jun 17, 2008
Jkt 214001
circumstances, as determined by the
OTLA, require an extension of time, as
set out in the Procedural Guidelines of
the OTLA. The public report will
include a summary of the review
process, as well as findings and
recommendations.
Signed at Washington, DC on June 12,
2008.
Lawrence W. Casey,
Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Bureau
of International Labor Affairs.
[FR Doc. E8–13676 Filed 6–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–28–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Indian Gaming Commission
Submission of Information Collection
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act;
Reinstatement
National Indian Gaming
Commission, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming
Commission (‘‘NIGC’’ or
‘‘Commission’’), in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act, is seeking
reinstatement of the approval for
collection of information for the
following information collection
activities: (1) Compliance and
Enforcement under the Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act (IGRA); (2) Privacy Act
Procedures; (3) Approval of Class II/
Background Investigation Tribal
Licenses; (4) Management Contract
Regulations; (5) Freedom of Information
Act Procedures; (6) National
Environmental Policy Act Procedures;
(7) Annual Fees Payable by Indian
Gaming Operations; (8) Issuance of
Certificates of Self Regulation to Tribes
for Class II Gaming; (9) Minimum
Internal Control Standards. These
information collections have expired.
DATES: Submit comments on or before
July 18, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Comments can be mailed
directly to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, OMB, Attn: Desk
Officer for the National Indian Gaming
Commission, 725 17th Street, NW.,
Washington, DC 20503, or mailed,
faxed, or e-mailed to the attention of
Michael Gross or Regina McCoy,
National Indian Gaming Commission,
1441 L Street, NW., Washington, DC
20005. Comments may be faxed to 202–
632–7066 (not a toll-free number).
Comments may be sent electronically to
info@nigc.gov, subject: pra
reinstatements.
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Frm 00097
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Gross or Regina McCoy, at (202)
632–7003; fax (202) 632–7066 (not tollfree numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Request for Comments
You are invited to comment on the
following items to the Desk Office at
OMB at the citation in the ADDRESSES
section.
(a) Whether the collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of the agency’s
estimate of the burden (including the
hours and cost) of the proposed
collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and
assumption used;
(c) Ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected;
(d) Ways to 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
collection techniques or forms of
information technology.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and
become a matter of public record.
OMB has up to 60 days to make a
decision but may decide after 30 days;
therefore, your comments will receive
maximum consideration if received
during the 30-day period.
We will not request nor sponsor a
collection of information, and you need
not respond to such a request, if there
is no valid Office of Management and
Budget Control Number.
II. Data
Title: Compliance and Enforcement.
OMB Control Number: 3141–0001.
Background: The Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.)
(IGRA) governs the regulation of gaming
on Indian lands. Although the IGRA
places primary responsibility with the
tribes for regulating gaming, Section
2706(b) directs the NIGC to monitor
gaming conducted on Indian lands on a
continuing basis. IGRA authorizes the
NIGC to access and inspect all papers,
books and records relating to gaming
conducted on Indian lands. IGRA also
requires tribes to provide NIGC with
annual independent audits of gaming,
including contracts in excess of
$25,000.00. 25 U.S.C. 2710(b)(2)(c), (d);
25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(1)(A)(ii). In
accordance with these statutory
responsibilities, 25 CFR 571.7 requires
Indian gaming operations to keep
E:\FR\FM\18JNN1.SGM
18JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 18, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34793-34794]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13676]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Secretary
Bureau of International Labor Affairs; Office of Trade and Labor
Affairs; Central America--Dominican Republic--United States Free Trade
Agreement; Notice of Determination Regarding Review of Submission
2008-01
AGENCY: Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of
Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) gives notice that
on June 12, 2008, Submission 2008-01 was accepted for review
pursuant to Article 16.4.3 of Chapter Sixteen (the Labor Chapter) of
the Central America--Dominican Republic--United States Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
The submission was filed with the OTLA on April 23, 2008 by the
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
(AFL-CIO) and a group of six Guatemalan trade unions. The submission
alleges the Government of Guatemala has violated Articles 16.1.1,
16.2.1(a), and 16.3.1 of the Labor Chapter of the CAFTA-DR with respect
to five separate cases. In these cases, the submission alleges that the
Government of Guatemala failed to enforce its laws with regard to the
right of association and the right to organize and bargain
collectively. The submission alleges acts of violence against trade
unionists, including two instances of murder. In addition, there are
further allegations of failure to enforce laws relating to non-payment
of severance and social security benefits. These allegations were
supported by specific factual descriptions which, if substantiated,
could demonstrate that the Government of Guatemala's actions were
inconsistent with its commitments under the Labor Chapter.
The objectives of the review of the submission will be to gather
information to assist the OTLA to better understand and publicly report
on the issues raised by the submission.
DATES: June 12, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Schoepfle, Director, Office of
Trade and Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Room S-5303, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-
4900 (this is not a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Article 16.4.3 of the Labor Chapter of the
CAFTA-DR establishes that each Party's contact point shall provide for
the submission, receipt, and consideration of communications from
persons of a Party on matters related to provisions of the Labor
Chapter and shall review such communications in accordance with
domestic procedures. The Department of Labor's Office of Trade
Agreement Implementation, which in December 2006 was reestablished as
the OTLA in a Federal Register notice (71 FR 76691 (2006)), was
designated as the office to serve as the contact point for implementing
the CAFTA-DR's labor provisions. The same Federal Register notice
informed the public of the Procedural Guidelines that the OTLA would
follow for the receipt and review of public submissions. According to
the definitions contained in the Procedural Guidelines (Section B) a
``submission,'' as used in the guidelines, means ``a communication from
the public containing specific allegations, accompanied by relevant
supporting information, that another Party has failed to meet its
commitments or obligations arising under a labor chapter.''* * *
On April 23, 2008, Submission 2008-01 was filed with the
OTLA by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial
Organizations (AFL-CIO) and a group of Guatemalan trade unions composed
of the Union of Port Quetzal Company Workers (STEPQ), the Union of
Izabal Banana Workers (SITRABI), the Union of International Frozen
Products, Inc. Workers (SITRAINPROCSA), the Coalition of Avandia
Workers, the Union of Fribo Company Workers (SITRAFRIBO), and the
Federation of Food and Similar Industries Workers of Guatemala
(FESTRAS).
The submission alleges first that the Government of Guatemala has
violated Article 16.1.1 of the CAFTA-DR Labor Chapter in which the
Parties reaffirm their obligations as members of the International
Labor Organization (ILO) and their commitments under the ILO
Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998), and
agree to strive to ensure that the Declaration's principles and the
internationally recognized labor rights set forth in Article 16.8 are
recognized and protected by its law. Second, the submission alleges
that the Government of Guatemala has violated Article 16.2.1(a) which
states, ``A Party shall not fail to effectively enforce its labor laws,
through a sustained or recurring course of action or inaction, in a
manner affecting trade between the Parties, after the date of entry
into force of [the CAFTA-DR].'' Third, the submission alleges that the
Government of Guatemala has violated Article 16.3.1, which states,
``Each Party shall ensure that persons with a legally recognized
interest under its law in a particular matter have appropriate access
to tribunals for the enforcement of the Party's labor laws.''* * *
To support these allegations, the submission outlines five separate
cases in which it alleges that workers were prevented from exercising
their right of association and the right to organize and bargain
collectively. In several of the cases, serious acts of violence and
intimidation are alleged, including murder. Furthermore, the submission
alleges that domestic labor laws, which would have protected these
workers' rights, were not enforced. The submission also alleges a
failure to enforce labor laws relating to payments to the Guatemalan
Social Security Institute (the health care system) in two
[[Page 34794]]
instances and appropriate legal severance payments in one instance.
The Procedural Guidelines for the OTLA, published in the Federal
Register on December 14, 2006, 71 FR 76691, 76695, specify that the
OTLA shall consider six factors, to the extent that they are relevant,
in determining whether to accept a submission for review. As relating
to FTAs, these are as follows: (a) Whether the submission raises issues
relevant to any matter arising under a labor chapter; (b) whether a
review would further the objectives of a labor chapter; (c) whether the
submission clearly identifies the person filing the submission, is
signed and dated, and is sufficiently specific to determine the nature
of the request and permit an appropriate review; (d) whether the
statements contained in the submission, if substantiated, would
constitute a failure of the other Party to comply with its obligations
or commitments under a labor chapter; (e) whether the statements
contained in the submission or available information demonstrate that
appropriate relief has been sought under the domestic laws of the other
Party, or that the matter or a related matter is pending before an
international body; and (f) whether the submission is substantially
similar to a recent submission and significant, new information has
been furnished that would substantially differentiate the submission
from the one previously filed.
The OTLA has taken these factors into account and has accepted the
submission for review for several reasons. The submission raises issues
relevant to the CAFTA-DR Labor Chapter and a review of these issues
would further the objectives of the Labor Chapter. The submission
clearly identifies the person filing the submission, is signed and
dated, and is sufficiently specific to determine the nature of the
request and permit an appropriate review. If substantiated, the
statements in the submission could constitute a failure on the part of
Guatemala, a Party to the CAFTA-DR, to comply with its obligations or
commitments under the Labor Chapter, and could demonstrate that relief
has been sought under the domestic laws.
The OTLA's decision to accept the submission for review is not
intended to indicate any determination as to the validity or accuracy
of the allegations contained in the submission. The objectives of the
review will be to gather information to assist the OTLA to better
understand and publicly report on the issues raised by the submission.
The review will be completed and a public report issued within 180
days, unless circumstances, as determined by the OTLA, require an
extension of time, as set out in the Procedural Guidelines of the OTLA.
The public report will include a summary of the review process, as well
as findings and recommendations.
Signed at Washington, DC on June 12, 2008.
Lawrence W. Casey,
Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Bureau of International Labor
Affairs.
[FR Doc. E8-13676 Filed 6-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-28-P
