Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement; Notice of Extension of the Period of Review for Submission #2011-03 (Dominican Republic), 51828 [2012-21044]

Download as PDF 51828 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 166 / Monday, August 27, 2012 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Dominican Republic—Central America—United States Free Trade Agreement; Notice of Extension of the Period of Review for Submission #2011–03 (Dominican Republic) Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor. ACTION: Notice. pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: The Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) in the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) of the U.S. Department of Labor has determined that an extension of time is required for its review of Submission #2011–03 concerning the Dominican Republic (the Submission) filed under Chapter Sixteen (the Labor Chapter) of the Dominican Republic—Central America—United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA–DR). On December 22, 2011, OTLA received the Submission from Father Christopher Hartley. It alleges action or inaction by the Government of the Dominican Republic that, if substantiated, could be inconsistent with the Dominican Republic’s commitments under the Labor Chapter. OTLA accepted the Submission for review on February 22, 2012 (77 FR 15397 (2012)), in accordance with its published Procedural Guidelines (71 FR 76694 (2006)). Acceptance triggers a 180-day fact-finding and review period that results in the issuance of a public report of any findings and recommendations. The objective of factfinding and review is to gather information so that OTLA can better understand the case and publicly report on the U.S. Government’s views regarding whether the Government of the Dominican Republic’s action or inaction was consistent with the obligations set forth in the Labor Chapter. The public report will include a summary of the review process, as well as any findings and recommendations. As part of its ongoing review, OTLA sent a delegation to the Dominican Republic from April 22–30, 2012, to gather information on issues raised by the Submission. The OTLA delegation met with representatives from the Government of the Dominican Republic, employers, workers, and other groups with information relevant to the Submission. ILAB conducted a followup visit to the Dominican Republic from July 22–25, 2012, during which its delegation met again with the above representatives and with additional VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:04 Aug 24, 2012 Jkt 226001 stakeholders in order to collect additional information. According to the Procedural Guidelines, if OTLA determines circumstances require an extension of time, it can delay the report’s publication (Procedural Guidelines, Sec. H.7). OTLA has determined that the circumstances require an extension of time, pursuant to section H.7 of the Procedural Guidelines. The extension of time is necessary to permit adequate consideration of the following information that OTLA recently received: • Public comments in response to the Federal Register Notice (77 FR 36578 (2012)) that OTLA issued on June 19, 2012, soliciting information relevant to the Submission by July 2, 2012; and • Information the ILAB delegation collected during its July 22–25, 2012 visit to the Dominican Republic. OTLA will continue to give this matter the highest priority in order to complete the review as expeditiously as possible. DATES: Effective Date: August 20, 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). Signed at Washington, DC on August 20, 2012. Carol Pier, Acting Deputy Undersecretary, International Affairs. [FR Doc. 2012–21044 Filed 8–24–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–28–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs Proposed Extension of Existing Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. The Department of Labor, 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/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the existing collection: Health Insurance Claim Form (OWCP–1500). A copy of the proposed information collection request 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 October 26, 2012. ADDRESSES: Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Room S–3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 693–0701, fax (202) 693–2447, Email ferguson.yoon@dol.gov. Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or Email). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background: The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) is the agency responsible for administration of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq., the Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA), 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq., and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA), 42 U.S.C. 7384 et seq. All three of these statutes require that OWCP pay for medical treatment of beneficiaries: BLBA also requires that OWCP pay for medical examinations and related diagnostic services to determine eligibility for benefits under that statute. Form OWCP–1500 is used by OWCP and contractor bill processing staff to process bills for medical services provided by medical professionals other than medical services provided by hospitals, pharmacies and certain other medical providers. To consider the appropriateness of the requested payment in a timely fashion, it is essential that provider bills be submitted on a standard form that will capture the critical data elements needed to evaluate the bill, such as procedure and diagnosis codes. This information collection is currently approved for use through November 30, 2012. II. Review Focus: The Department of Labor 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; E:\FR\FM\27AUN1.SGM 27AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 166 (Monday, August 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 51828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21044]



[[Page 51828]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Dominican Republic--Central America--United States Free Trade 
Agreement; Notice of Extension of the Period of Review for Submission 
2011-03 (Dominican Republic)

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

    The Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) in the Bureau of 
International Labor Affairs (ILAB) of the U.S. Department of Labor has 
determined that an extension of time is required for its review of 
Submission 2011-03 concerning the Dominican Republic (the 
Submission) filed under Chapter Sixteen (the Labor Chapter) of the 
Dominican Republic--Central America--United States Free Trade Agreement 
(CAFTA-DR).
    On December 22, 2011, OTLA received the Submission from Father 
Christopher Hartley. It alleges action or inaction by the Government of 
the Dominican Republic that, if substantiated, could be inconsistent 
with the Dominican Republic's commitments under the Labor Chapter.
    OTLA accepted the Submission for review on February 22, 2012 (77 FR 
15397 (2012)), in accordance with its published Procedural Guidelines 
(71 FR 76694 (2006)). Acceptance triggers a 180-day fact-finding and 
review period that results in the issuance of a public report of any 
findings and recommendations. The objective of fact-finding and review 
is to gather information so that OTLA can better understand the case 
and publicly report on the U.S. Government's views regarding whether 
the Government of the Dominican Republic's action or inaction was 
consistent with the obligations set forth in the Labor Chapter. The 
public report will include a summary of the review process, as well as 
any findings and recommendations.
    As part of its ongoing review, OTLA sent a delegation to the 
Dominican Republic from April 22-30, 2012, to gather information on 
issues raised by the Submission. The OTLA delegation met with 
representatives from the Government of the Dominican Republic, 
employers, workers, and other groups with information relevant to the 
Submission. ILAB conducted a follow-up visit to the Dominican Republic 
from July 22-25, 2012, during which its delegation met again with the 
above representatives and with additional stakeholders in order to 
collect additional information.
    According to the Procedural Guidelines, if OTLA determines 
circumstances require an extension of time, it can delay the report's 
publication (Procedural Guidelines, Sec. H.7). OTLA has determined that 
the circumstances require an extension of time, pursuant to section H.7 
of the Procedural Guidelines. The extension of time is necessary to 
permit adequate consideration of the following information that OTLA 
recently received:
     Public comments in response to the Federal Register Notice 
(77 FR 36578 (2012)) that OTLA issued on June 19, 2012, soliciting 
information relevant to the Submission by July 2, 2012; and
     Information the ILAB delegation collected during its July 
22-25, 2012 visit to the Dominican Republic.

    OTLA will continue to give this matter the highest priority in 
order to complete the review as expeditiously as possible.

DATES: Effective Date: August 20, 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).

    Signed at Washington, DC on August 20, 2012.
Carol Pier,
Acting Deputy Undersecretary, International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-21044 Filed 8-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-28-P
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