Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement; Notice of Determination Regarding Review of Submission #2012-01, 30329-30330 [2012-12406]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 22, 2012 / Notices Dated: May 14, 2012. Debra A. Carr, Director, Division of Policy, Planning and Program Development, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. [FR Doc. 2012–12191 Filed 5–21–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–45–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Dominican Republic-Central AmericaUnited States Free Trade Agreement; Notice of Determination Regarding Review of Submission #2012–01 Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) gives notice that on May 14, 2012, Submission #2012–01 regarding Honduras was accepted for review pursuant to Article 16.4.3 of the Dominican Republic-Central AmericaUnited States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA–DR). On March 26, 2012, the AFL–CIO and 27 Honduran civil society and worker organizations provided a formal submission to OTLA alleging violations of the Labor Chapter (Chapter 16) of the CAFTA–DR stemming from the Government of Honduras’ (GOH’s) actions or failure to act. The submission alleges that the GOH’s actions or lack thereof denied workers at factories in the apparel and auto parts manufacturing sectors, plantations in the agricultural sector, and enterprises at the Port of Cortez their rights under Honduran labor law relating to freedom of association, the right to organize, the right to bargain collectively, child labor, and acceptable conditions of work. The submitters also allege the GOH is in violation of the CAFTA–DR due to recently passed legislation which weakens workers rights and on-going deficiencies in its laws and legal system. The objective of the review of the submission will be to gather information so that OTLA can better understand the allegations therein and publicly report on the U.S. Government’s views regarding whether the GOH’s actions were consistent with its obligations under the Labor Chapter of the CAFTA– DR. DATES: Effective Date: May 14, 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Schoepfle, Director, OTLA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S–5303, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:20 May 21, 2012 Jkt 226001 (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 public communications (‘‘submissions’’) on matters related to provisions of the Labor Chapter and shall review those submissions in accordance with domestic procedures. A Federal Register notice issued on December 21, 2006 informed the public that the OTLA had been 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 OTLA would follow for the receipt and review of public submissions (71 FR 76691 (2006)). These Procedural Guidelines are available at https://www.dol.gov/ilab/ programs/otla/procedural guidelines.htm. According to the definitions contained in the Procedural Guidelines (Section B) a ‘‘submission’’ is 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 of a U.S. free trade agreement. The Procedural Guidelines specify that OTLA shall consider six factors, to the extent that they are relevant, in determining whether to accept a submission for review: 1. Whether the submission raises issues relevant to any matter arising under a labor chapter; 2. Whether a review would further the objectives of a labor chapter; 3. 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; 4. 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; 5. 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 6. Whether the submission is substantially similar to a recent submission and significant, new information has been furnished that PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 30329 would substantially differentiate the submission from the one previously filed. U.S. Submission #2012–01 alleges that the GOH’s actions or lack thereof denied workers their rights under the laws of Honduras, citing specific instances allegedly demonstrating: An inability or unwillingness to find and remedy labor violations, failure of labor inspectors to use all means provided for under the Labor Code to gain access to facilities for inspections or to serve notice of union establishment and protections, improper or questionable practices of Ministry of Labor and Social Security (STSS) employees in the enforcement of labor laws, failure of STSS officials to grant union recognition or verify mandated corrections of violations uncovered by an inspection in the legally established timeframe, government mediation that failed to afford workers benefits meeting the standards established in the Labor Code, and lengthy proceedings that effectively served to deny workers their labor rights. In determining whether to accept the submission, OTLA considered the relevant factors in light of the statements in the submission and its supporting documentation. The submission clearly identifies the submitter, is signed and dated, and is sufficiently specific to determine the nature of the request and permit an appropriate review. It also raises issues relevant to the Labor Chapter of the CAFTA–DR, citing numerous problems in the apparel and auto parts manufacturing, agriculture, and port sectors that the submitters believe are in violation of Honduras’ labor laws. The submission raises pertinent issues that could further the objectives of the Labor Chapter and that could, if substantiated, constitute a failure of the GOH to comply with its obligations under the Labor Chapter. The submitters provided information on several specific cases of alleged labor violations and included a list of articles of the Labor Code, the Constitution of Honduras, and ILO Conventions that they believe were violated by the allegations in the submission. The submitters provided information on efforts to seek appropriate relief for these alleged violations under domestic laws and to raise the issues with GOH officials. The submission also notes that the issues in the submission have not been remedied to date. OTLA has not received similar submissions related to Honduras. Accordingly, OTLA has accepted the submission for review. OTLA’s decision to accept the submission for review is not intended to E:\FR\FM\22MYN1.SGM 22MYN1 30330 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 99 / Tuesday, May 22, 2012 / Notices indicate any determination as to the validity or accuracy of the allegations contained in the submission. The objective of the review of the submission will be to gather information so that OTLA can better understand the allegations therein and publicly report on the issues raised by the submission. OTLA will complete the review and issue a public report to the Secretary of Labor within 180 days, unless circumstances, as determined by OTLA, require an extension of time, as set out in the Procedural Guidelines. The public report will include a summary of the review process, as well as any findings and recommendations. Signed at Washington, DC, on May 14, 2012. Carol Pier, Acting Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs. [FR Doc. 2012–12406 Filed 5–21–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–28–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, Training and Employer Outreach (ACVETEO): Meeting Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, Labor. ACTION: Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, Training and Employer Outreach (ACVETEO). The ACVETEO will discuss Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Services’ (VETS) core programs and new initiatives regarding efforts that assist Veterans seeking employment and raise employer awareness as to the advantages of hiring Veterans. There will be an opportunity for persons or organizations to address the committee. Any individual or organization that wishes to do so should contact Mr. Gregory Green (202) 693–4734. Time constraints may limit the number of outside participants/presentations. Individuals who will need accommodations for a disability in order to attend the meeting (i.e., interpreting services, assistive listening devices, and/or materials in alternative format) should notify the Advisory Committee no later than Monday, June 11, 2012 by contacting Mr. Gregory Green (202) 693– 4734. Requests made after this date will be reviewed, but availability of the requested accommodations cannot be guaranteed. The meeting site is accessible to individuals with srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:20 May 21, 2012 Jkt 226001 disabilities. This notice also describes the functions of the Advisory Committee. Notice of this meeting is required under Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. This document is intended to notify the general public. DATES: Date and Time: Monday, June 18, 2012, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at approximately 4:30 p.m. (E.S.T.). Department of Labor 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Room S4215A&B, Washington, DC 20210. ID is required to enter the building. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gregory Green, Special Assistant to the Designated Federal Official, Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, Training and Employer Outreach. (202) 693–4734. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ACVETEO is a Congressionally mandated Advisory Committee authorized under Title 38, U.S. Code, Section 4110 and subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2, as amended. The ACVETEO is responsible for: assessing employment and training needs of Veterans; determining the extent to which the programs and activities of the U.S. Department of Labor meet these needs; assisting to conduct outreach to employers seeking to hire Veterans; making recommendations to the Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training, with respect to outreach activities and employment and training needs of Veterans; and carrying out such other activities necessary to make required reports and recommendations. The ACVETEO meets at least quarterly. ADDRESSES: Signed in Washington, DC, this 17th day of May, 2012. John K. Moran, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. [FR Doc. 2012–12403 Filed 5–21–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–79–P NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION Sunshine Act; Notice of Agency Meeting 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 24, 2012. PLACE: Board Room, 7th Floor, Room 7047, 1775 Duke Street (All visitors must use Diagonal Road Entrance), Alexandria, VA 22314–3428. STATUS: Open. TIME AND DATE: PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Matters To Be Considered 1. NCUA’s Rules and Regulations, Reg Flex Relief. 2. Final Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS)—12–1, Supervisory Review Committee. 3. NCUA’s Rules and Regulations, Troubled Debt Restructuring. 4. Quarterly Insurance Fund Report. RECESS: 11 a.m. TIME AND DATE: 11:15 a.m., Thursday, May 24, 2012. PLACE: Board Room, 7th Floor, Room 7047, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314–3428. STATUS: Closed. Matters To Be Considered 1. Consideration of Supervisory Activities (3). Closed pursuant to exemptions (8), (9)(i)(B) and 9(ii). 2. Appeal under Section 701.14 and Part 747, Subpart J of NCUA’s Rules and Regulations. Closed pursuant to Exemptions (6) and (8). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Rupp, Secretary of the Board, Telephone: 703–518–6304. Mary Rupp, Board Secretary. [FR Doc. 2012–12404 Filed 5–18–12; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 7535–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information Collection for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program National Science Foundation. Notice and Request for Comments. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13), we are providing opportunity for public comment on this action plan for information collection. DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by July 23, 2012 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. For Additional Information or Comments: Contact Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292– 7556; or send email to splimpto@nsf.gov. Individuals who use SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22MYN1.SGM 22MYN1

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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 22, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30329-30330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12406]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade 
Agreement; Notice of Determination Regarding Review of Submission 
2012-01

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 May 14, 2012, Submission 2012-01 regarding Honduras was 
accepted for review pursuant to Article 16.4.3 of the Dominican 
Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
    On March 26, 2012, the AFL-CIO and 27 Honduran civil society and 
worker organizations provided a formal submission to OTLA alleging 
violations of the Labor Chapter (Chapter 16) of the CAFTA-DR stemming 
from the Government of Honduras' (GOH's) actions or failure to act. The 
submission alleges that the GOH's actions or lack thereof denied 
workers at factories in the apparel and auto parts manufacturing 
sectors, plantations in the agricultural sector, and enterprises at the 
Port of Cortez their rights under Honduran labor law relating to 
freedom of association, the right to organize, the right to bargain 
collectively, child labor, and acceptable conditions of work. The 
submitters also allege the GOH is in violation of the CAFTA-DR due to 
recently passed legislation which weakens workers rights and on-going 
deficiencies in its laws and legal system.
    The objective of the review of the submission will be to gather 
information so that OTLA can better understand the allegations therein 
and publicly report on the U.S. Government's views regarding whether 
the GOH's actions were consistent with its obligations under the Labor 
Chapter of the CAFTA-DR.

DATES: Effective Date: May 14, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Schoepfle, Director, OTLA, 
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 public communications 
(``submissions'') on matters related to provisions of the Labor Chapter 
and shall review those submissions in accordance with domestic 
procedures. A Federal Register notice issued on December 21, 2006 
informed the public that the OTLA had been 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 OTLA would follow for the receipt and review 
of public submissions (71 FR 76691 (2006)). These Procedural Guidelines 
are available at https://www.dol.gov/ilab/programs/otla/proceduralguidelines.htm. According to the definitions contained in the 
Procedural Guidelines (Section B) a ``submission'' is 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 of a U.S. 
free trade agreement.
    The Procedural Guidelines specify that OTLA shall consider six 
factors, to the extent that they are relevant, in determining whether 
to accept a submission for review:
    1. Whether the submission raises issues relevant to any matter 
arising under a labor chapter;
    2. Whether a review would further the objectives of a labor 
chapter;
    3. 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;
    4. 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;
    5. 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
    6. 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.
    U.S. Submission 2012-01 alleges that the GOH's actions or 
lack thereof denied workers their rights under the laws of Honduras, 
citing specific instances allegedly demonstrating: An inability or 
unwillingness to find and remedy labor violations, failure of labor 
inspectors to use all means provided for under the Labor Code to gain 
access to facilities for inspections or to serve notice of union 
establishment and protections, improper or questionable practices of 
Ministry of Labor and Social Security (STSS) employees in the 
enforcement of labor laws, failure of STSS officials to grant union 
recognition or verify mandated corrections of violations uncovered by 
an inspection in the legally established timeframe, government 
mediation that failed to afford workers benefits meeting the standards 
established in the Labor Code, and lengthy proceedings that effectively 
served to deny workers their labor rights.
    In determining whether to accept the submission, OTLA considered 
the relevant factors in light of the statements in the submission and 
its supporting documentation. The submission clearly identifies the 
submitter, is signed and dated, and is sufficiently specific to 
determine the nature of the request and permit an appropriate review. 
It also raises issues relevant to the Labor Chapter of the CAFTA-DR, 
citing numerous problems in the apparel and auto parts manufacturing, 
agriculture, and port sectors that the submitters believe are in 
violation of Honduras' labor laws. The submission raises pertinent 
issues that could further the objectives of the Labor Chapter and that 
could, if substantiated, constitute a failure of the GOH to comply with 
its obligations under the Labor Chapter. The submitters provided 
information on several specific cases of alleged labor violations and 
included a list of articles of the Labor Code, the Constitution of 
Honduras, and ILO Conventions that they believe were violated by the 
allegations in the submission. The submitters provided information on 
efforts to seek appropriate relief for these alleged violations under 
domestic laws and to raise the issues with GOH officials. The 
submission also notes that the issues in the submission have not been 
remedied to date. OTLA has not received similar submissions related to 
Honduras. Accordingly, OTLA has accepted the submission for review.
    OTLA's decision to accept the submission for review is not intended 
to

[[Page 30330]]

indicate any determination as to the validity or accuracy of the 
allegations contained in the submission. The objective of the review of 
the submission will be to gather information so that OTLA can better 
understand the allegations therein and publicly report on the issues 
raised by the submission. OTLA will complete the review and issue a 
public report to the Secretary of Labor within 180 days, unless 
circumstances, as determined by OTLA, require an extension of time, as 
set out in the Procedural Guidelines. The public report will include a 
summary of the review process, as well as any findings and 
recommendations.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on May 14, 2012.
Carol Pier,
Acting Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-12406 Filed 5-21-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-28-P
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