Request for Comments on Labor Capacity-Building Efforts Under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, 55397-55399 [2017-25012]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 21, 2017 / Notices The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives on or before December 21, 2017. DATES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free of charge from the RegInfo.gov Web site at https:// www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAViewICR?ref_nbr=201706-1220-002 (this link will only become active on the day following publication of this notice) or by contacting Michel Smyth by telephone at 202–693–4129, TTY 202– 693–8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at DOL_PRA_ PUBLIC@dol.gov. Submit comments about this request by mail to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL–BLS, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503; by Fax: 202–395–5806 (this is not a toll-free number); or by email: OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov. Commenters are encouraged, but not required, to send a courtesy copy of any comments by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor-OASAM, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Attn: Departmental Information Compliance Management Program, Room N1301, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; or by email: DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michel Smyth by telephone at 202–693– 4129, TTY 202–693–8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at DOL_ PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov. This ICR seeks to extend PRA authority for the Current Population Survey (CPS)—Basic Labor Force information collection. The labor force data collected in the CPS help to determine the employment situation of specific population groups as well as general trends in employment and unemployment. The survey is the only source of monthly data on total employment and unemployment. The Employment Situation Report contains data from this survey, and it is designated a Principle Federal Economic Indicator; moreover, the survey also yields data on the basic status and characteristics of persons not in the labor force. CPS data are used monthly, in conjunction with data from other sources, to analyze the extent to which, and with what success, the various components of the American population are participating in the economic life of the nation. This asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:56 Nov 20, 2017 Jkt 244001 information collection is authorized by 13 U.S.C. 182 and 29 U.S.C. 2. This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1220–0100. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal, and the current approval for this collection is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2017. The DOL seeks to extend PRA authorization for this information collection for three (3) more years, without any change to existing requirements. The DOL notes that existing information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on June 19, 2017 (82 FR 27873). Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within thirty (30) days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1220–0100. The OMB 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; • 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, PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55397 e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Agency: DOL–BLS. Title of Collection: Current Population Survey—Basic Labor Force. OMB Control Number: 1220–0100. Affected Public: Individuals or Households. Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 53,000. Total Estimated Number of Responses: 636,000. Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 80,560 hours. Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D). Dated: November 14, 2017. Michel Smyth, Departmental Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2017–25111 Filed 11–20–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–24–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Office of the Secretary Request for Comments on Labor Capacity-Building Efforts Under the Dominican Republic-Central AmericaUnited States Free Trade Agreement Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor and Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Request for comments from the public. AGENCY: This notice is a request for comments from the public to assist the Secretary of Labor and the United States Trade Representative in preparing a report on labor capacity-building efforts under Chapter 16 (‘‘the Labor Chapter’’) and Annex 16.5 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (‘‘CAFTA–DR’’). Comments are also welcomed on efforts made by the CAFTA–DR countries to implement the labor obligations under the Labor Chapter and the recommendations contained in a paper entitled, ‘‘The Labor Dimension in Central America and the Dominican Republic—Building on Progress: Strengthening Compliance and Enhancing Capacity’’ (the ‘‘White Paper’’). This report is required under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (CAFTA–DR Implementation Act). The reporting function and the responsibility for soliciting public comments required under this Act were assigned to the Secretary of Labor in SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1 asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES 55398 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 21, 2017 / Notices consultation with the United States Trade Representative (USTR). DATES: Written comments are due no later than 5 p.m. (EDT) January 2, 2018. ADDRESSES: Public comments should be submitted electronically to www.regulations.gov, the Federal erulemaking portal. Comments may also be submitted by postal or electronic mail to: Mr. Graham Robertson, Office of Trade and Labor Affairs, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S–5006, Washington, DC 20210, Robertson.Alistair.G@dol.gov. Comments that are mailed must be received by the date indicated for consideration. Also, please note that due to security concerns, postal delivery in Washington, DC may be delayed. Therefore, in order to ensure that comments receive full consideration, the Department encourages the public to submit comments via the internet as indicated above. Please submit only one copy of your comments by only one method. Also, please be advised that comments received will become a matter of public record and will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. The Department cautions commenters not to include personal information, such as Social Security Numbers, personal addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses in their comments as such information will become viewable by the public on the https:// www.regulations.gov Web site. It is each commenter’s responsibility to safeguard his or her information. Comments submitted through https:// www.regulations.gov will not include the commenter’s email address unless the commenter chooses to include that information as part of his or her comment. If you are unable to provide submissions by either of these means, please contact Graham Robertson (202– 693–4818) to arrange for an alternative method of submission. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Graham Robertson, Office of Trade and Labor Affairs, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S– 5006, Washington, DC 20210. Email: Robertson.Alistair.G@DOL.Gov, Telephone: (202) 693–4818. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background Information During the legislative approval process for the CAFTA–DR, the Administration and the Congress reached an understanding on the need VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:56 Nov 20, 2017 Jkt 244001 to support labor capacity-building efforts linked to recommendations identified in the ‘‘White Paper’’ of the Working Group of the Vice Ministers Responsible for Trade and Labor in the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic. Appropriations have been made available from FY 2005 through 2017 to support labor capacity building efforts in CAFTA–DR countries. For more information, see the full text of the CAFTA–DR at https:// ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-tradeagreements/cafta-dr-dominicanrepublic-central-america-fta/final-text and the ‘‘White Paper’’ at https:// www.sice.oas.org/labor/ White%20Paper_e.pdf. In addition, in December 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) published its procedural guidelines for the receipt and review of submissions under U.S. Free Trade Agreements, including the CAFTA–DR (71 FR 76691 Dec. 21, 2006). Subsequently, pursuant to CAFTA–DR Article 16.4.2, in November 2008, the United States and CAFTA–DR partner countries held the first Labor Affairs Council meeting in San Salvador, El Salvador. Since the CAFTA–DR came into force, USDOL’s Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) has accepted three submissions under the labor chapter of the CAFTA– DR. In February 2015, OTLA issued a public report on its review of a submission regarding Honduras, and in December of that year the United States and Honduras signed a comprehensive monitoring and action plan that addresses gaps in enforcement of Honduran labor law outlined in OTLA’s public report. In September 2013, OTLA issued a public report in response to a submission regarding the Dominican Republic and since then, the Department of Labor has been engaging with the Dominican Republic on the issues identified in the report. With respect to a submission regarding Guatemala, OTLA issued a public report in January 2009, and the United States Trade Representative requested the establishment of an arbitral panel in August 2011, pursuant to Article 20.6.1, to consider whether the Government of Guatemala was conforming to its obligations under Article 16.2.1(a) of the CAFTA–DR. In November 2012, the parties agreed to suspend panel proceedings while the parties negotiated and implemented an Enforcement Plan. In an attempt to resolve the dispute, the Panel resumed its work in September 2013 and issued its final report on June 14, 2017. The Panel’s findings confirmed the U.S. view that Guatemala’s enforcement failures, in PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 particular with respect to laws protecting the right of association, the right to organize and bargain collectively, and acceptable conditions of work including occupational safety and health, minimum wage, and hours of work, are a serious concern, but determined that evidence did not establish other required elements necessary to prove a violation of CAFTA–DR. Under CAFTA–DR, the panel decision is final; there is no appeal process. Under section 403(a) of the CAFTA– DR Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 4111(a), the President must report biennially to the Congress on the progress made by the CAFTA–DR countries in implementing the labor obligations and the labor capacitybuilding provisions found in the Labor Chapter and in Annex 16.5, and in implementing the recommendations contained in the ‘‘White Paper.’’ Section 403(a)(4) requires that the President establish a mechanism to solicit public comments on the matters described in section 403(a)(3)(D) of the CAFTA–DR Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 4111(a)(4) (listed below in 2). By Proclamation, the President delegated the reporting function and the responsibility for soliciting public comments under section 403(a) of the CAFTA–DR Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 4111(a), to the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the USTR (Proclamation No. 8272, 73 FR 38,297 (June 30, 2008)). This notice serves to request public comments as required by this section. 2. The USDOL Is Seeking Comments on the Following Topics as Required Under Section 403(a)(3)(D) of the CAFTA–DR Implementation Act a. Capacity-building efforts by the United States government envisaged by Article 16.5 of the CAFTA–DR Labor Chapter and Annex 16.5; b. Efforts by the United States government to facilitate full implementation of the ‘‘White Paper’’ recommendations; and c. Efforts made by the CAFTA–DR countries to comply with Article 16.5 of the Labor Chapter and Annex 16.5 and to fully implement the ‘‘White Paper’’ recommendations, including progress made by the CAFTA–DR countries in affording to workers internationallyrecognized worker rights through improved capacity. 3. Requirements for Submission Persons submitting comments must do so in English and must make the following note on the first page of their submissions: ‘‘Comments regarding the E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 21, 2017 / Notices CAFTA–DR Implementation Act.’’ In order to be assured consideration, comments should be submitted by 5 p.m. (EDT), January 2, 2018. The Department of Labor encourages commenters to make on-line submissions using the www.regulations.gov Web site. When entering this site, enter ‘‘Request for Comments on Labor Capacity-Building Efforts Under the Dominican RepublicCentral America-United States Free Trade Agreement’’ on the home page search bar and click ‘‘search.’’ The site will provide a search-results page listing all documents associated with this docket. Find a reference to this notice and click on the link entitled ‘‘Comment Now.’’ (For further information on using the www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult the resources provided on the Web site by clicking on ‘‘How to Use This Site’’ (found on the bottom of the home page under ‘‘Help’’)). The www.regulations.gov Web site allows users to provide comments by filling in a ‘‘Type Comment field,’’ or by attaching a document using an ‘‘Upload File’’ field. The USDOL prefers that uploaded submissions be in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If the submission is in an application other than those two, please indicate the name of the application in the ‘‘Type Comment’’ field. Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic submissions; rather, include any information that might appear in a cover letter in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in the same file as the submission itself and not as separate files. As noted, USDOL strongly urges submitters to file comments through the www.regulations.gov Web site. Comments will be open to public inspection. Comments may be viewed on the www.regulations.gov Web site. Signed at Washington, DC, on November 9, 2017. Martha E. Newton, Deputy Undersecretary. [FR Doc. 2017–25012 Filed 11–20–17; 8:45 am] asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 4510–28–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Information Collection Activities; Comment Request Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor. AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:56 Nov 20, 2017 Jkt 244001 Notice of information collection; request for comment. ACTION: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 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. 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. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed revision of the ‘‘National Compensation Survey.’’ A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the Addresses section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the Addresses section of this notice on or before January 22, 2018. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE., Washington, DC 20212. Written comments also may be transmitted by fax to 202–691–5111 (this is not a toll free number.) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nora Kincaid, BLS Clearance Officer, at 202–691–7628 (this is not a toll free number.) (See ADDRESSES section.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Background The National Compensation Survey (NCS) is an ongoing survey of earnings and benefits among private firms, State, and local government. Data from the NCS program include estimates of wages covering broad groups of related occupations, and data that directly links benefit plan costs with detailed plan provisions. The NCS is used to produce the Employment Cost Trends, including the Employment Cost Index (ECI) and Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC), employee benefits data (on coverage, cost and provisions), data used by the President’s Pay Agent and this data is used by compensation administrators and researchers in the private sector. Data from the NCS are used to help in PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55399 determining monetary policy (as a Principal Federal Economic Indicator.) The integrated program’s single sample produces both time-series indexes and cost levels for industry and occupational groups, thereby increasing the analytical potential of the data. The NCS employs probability methods for selection of occupations. This ensures that sampled occupations represent all occupations in the workforce, while minimizing the reporting burden on respondents. The survey collects data from a sample of employers. These data will consist of information about the duties, responsibilities, and compensation (earnings and benefits) for a sample of occupations for each sampled employer. Data will be updated on a quarterly basis. The updates will allow for production of data on change in earnings and total compensation. II. Current Action Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the National Compensation Survey. The NCS collects earnings and work level data on occupations for the nation. The NCS also collects information on the cost, provisions, and incidence of major employee benefits through its benefit cost and benefit provision programs and publications. BLS has for a number of years been using a revised approach to the Locality Pay Survey (LPS); this uses data from two current BLS programs—the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey and the ECI program. This approach uses OES data to provide wage data by occupation and by area, while ECI data are used to specify grade level effects. This approach is also being used to extend the estimation of pay gaps to areas that were not included in the prior Locality Pay Survey sample, and these data have been delivered to the Pay Agent (in 2014, data for 92 areas were delivered.) The NCS has a national survey design for the ECI and the EBS. The NCS private industry sample is on a threeyear rotational cycle, with one frozen sample year every ten years for the NCS private industry sample when a new NCS State and local government sample starts (approximately in 2025). The NCS continues to provide employee benefit provision and participation data. These data include estimates of how many workers receive the various employer-sponsored benefits. The data also include information about the common provisions of benefit plans. NCS collection will use a number of collection forms (normally having E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55397-55399]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25012]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Request for Comments on Labor Capacity-Building Efforts Under the 
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement

AGENCY: Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor 
and Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Request for comments from the public.

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

SUMMARY: This notice is a request for comments from the public to 
assist the Secretary of Labor and the United States Trade 
Representative in preparing a report on labor capacity-building efforts 
under Chapter 16 (``the Labor Chapter'') and Annex 16.5 of the 
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement 
(``CAFTA-DR''). Comments are also welcomed on efforts made by the 
CAFTA-DR countries to implement the labor obligations under the Labor 
Chapter and the recommendations contained in a paper entitled, ``The 
Labor Dimension in Central America and the Dominican Republic--Building 
on Progress: Strengthening Compliance and Enhancing Capacity'' (the 
``White Paper''). This report is required under the Dominican Republic-
Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 
(CAFTA-DR Implementation Act). The reporting function and the 
responsibility for soliciting public comments required under this Act 
were assigned to the Secretary of Labor in

[[Page 55398]]

consultation with the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

DATES: Written comments are due no later than 5 p.m. (EDT) January 2, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Public comments should be submitted electronically to 
www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-rulemaking portal. Comments may also 
be submitted by postal or electronic mail to: Mr. Graham Robertson, 
Office of Trade and Labor Affairs, Bureau of International Labor 
Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S-
5006, Washington, DC 20210, Robertson.Alistair.G@dol.gov. Comments that 
are mailed must be received by the date indicated for consideration. 
Also, please note that due to security concerns, postal delivery in 
Washington, DC may be delayed. Therefore, in order to ensure that 
comments receive full consideration, the Department encourages the 
public to submit comments via the internet as indicated above. Please 
submit only one copy of your comments by only one method. Also, please 
be advised that comments received will become a matter of public record 
and will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided. The Department cautions 
commenters not to include personal information, such as Social Security 
Numbers, personal addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses in 
their comments as such information will become viewable by the public 
on the https://www.regulations.gov Web site. It is each commenter's 
responsibility to safeguard his or her information. Comments submitted 
through https://www.regulations.gov will not include the commenter's 
email address unless the commenter chooses to include that information 
as part of his or her comment. If you are unable to provide submissions 
by either of these means, please contact Graham Robertson (202-693-
4818) to arrange for an alternative method of submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Graham Robertson, Office of Trade 
and Labor Affairs, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S-5006, 
Washington, DC 20210. Email: Robertson.Alistair.G@DOL.Gov, Telephone: 
(202) 693-4818.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

1. Background Information

    During the legislative approval process for the CAFTA-DR, the 
Administration and the Congress reached an understanding on the need to 
support labor capacity-building efforts linked to recommendations 
identified in the ``White Paper'' of the Working Group of the Vice 
Ministers Responsible for Trade and Labor in the countries of Central 
America and the Dominican Republic. Appropriations have been made 
available from FY 2005 through 2017 to support labor capacity building 
efforts in CAFTA-DR countries. For more information, see the full text 
of the CAFTA-DR at https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/cafta-dr-dominican-republic-central-america-fta/final-text 
and the ``White Paper'' at https://www.sice.oas.org/labor/White%20Paper_e.pdf.
    In addition, in December 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) 
published its procedural guidelines for the receipt and review of 
submissions under U.S. Free Trade Agreements, including the CAFTA-DR 
(71 FR 76691 Dec. 21, 2006). Subsequently, pursuant to CAFTA-DR Article 
16.4.2, in November 2008, the United States and CAFTA-DR partner 
countries held the first Labor Affairs Council meeting in San Salvador, 
El Salvador. Since the CAFTA-DR came into force, USDOL's Office of 
Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) has accepted three submissions under the 
labor chapter of the CAFTA-DR. In February 2015, OTLA issued a public 
report on its review of a submission regarding Honduras, and in 
December of that year the United States and Honduras signed a 
comprehensive monitoring and action plan that addresses gaps in 
enforcement of Honduran labor law outlined in OTLA's public report. In 
September 2013, OTLA issued a public report in response to a submission 
regarding the Dominican Republic and since then, the Department of 
Labor has been engaging with the Dominican Republic on the issues 
identified in the report. With respect to a submission regarding 
Guatemala, OTLA issued a public report in January 2009, and the United 
States Trade Representative requested the establishment of an arbitral 
panel in August 2011, pursuant to Article 20.6.1, to consider whether 
the Government of Guatemala was conforming to its obligations under 
Article 16.2.1(a) of the CAFTA-DR. In November 2012, the parties agreed 
to suspend panel proceedings while the parties negotiated and 
implemented an Enforcement Plan. In an attempt to resolve the dispute, 
the Panel resumed its work in September 2013 and issued its final 
report on June 14, 2017. The Panel's findings confirmed the U.S. view 
that Guatemala's enforcement failures, in particular with respect to 
laws protecting the right of association, the right to organize and 
bargain collectively, and acceptable conditions of work including 
occupational safety and health, minimum wage, and hours of work, are a 
serious concern, but determined that evidence did not establish other 
required elements necessary to prove a violation of CAFTA-DR. Under 
CAFTA-DR, the panel decision is final; there is no appeal process.
    Under section 403(a) of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 
4111(a), the President must report biennially to the Congress on the 
progress made by the CAFTA-DR countries in implementing the labor 
obligations and the labor capacity-building provisions found in the 
Labor Chapter and in Annex 16.5, and in implementing the 
recommendations contained in the ``White Paper.'' Section 403(a)(4) 
requires that the President establish a mechanism to solicit public 
comments on the matters described in section 403(a)(3)(D) of the CAFTA-
DR Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 4111(a)(4) (listed below in 2).
    By Proclamation, the President delegated the reporting function and 
the responsibility for soliciting public comments under section 403(a) 
of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act, 19 U.S.C. 4111(a), to the Secretary 
of Labor, in consultation with the USTR (Proclamation No. 8272, 73 FR 
38,297 (June 30, 2008)). This notice serves to request public comments 
as required by this section.

2. The USDOL Is Seeking Comments on the Following Topics as Required 
Under Section 403(a)(3)(D) of the CAFTA-DR Implementation Act

    a. Capacity-building efforts by the United States government 
envisaged by Article 16.5 of the CAFTA-DR Labor Chapter and Annex 16.5;
    b. Efforts by the United States government to facilitate full 
implementation of the ``White Paper'' recommendations; and
    c. Efforts made by the CAFTA-DR countries to comply with Article 
16.5 of the Labor Chapter and Annex 16.5 and to fully implement the 
``White Paper'' recommendations, including progress made by the CAFTA-
DR countries in affording to workers internationally-recognized worker 
rights through improved capacity.

3. Requirements for Submission

    Persons submitting comments must do so in English and must make the 
following note on the first page of their submissions: ``Comments 
regarding the

[[Page 55399]]

CAFTA-DR Implementation Act.'' In order to be assured consideration, 
comments should be submitted by 5 p.m. (EDT), January 2, 2018. The 
Department of Labor encourages commenters to make on-line submissions 
using the www.regulations.gov Web site. When entering this site, enter 
``Request for Comments on Labor Capacity-Building Efforts Under the 
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement'' 
on the home page search bar and click ``search.'' The site will provide 
a search-results page listing all documents associated with this 
docket. Find a reference to this notice and click on the link entitled 
``Comment Now.'' (For further information on using the 
www.regulations.gov Web site, please consult the resources provided on 
the Web site by clicking on ``How to Use This Site'' (found on the 
bottom of the home page under ``Help'')).
    The www.regulations.gov Web site allows users to provide comments 
by filling in a ``Type Comment field,'' or by attaching a document 
using an ``Upload File'' field. The USDOL prefers that uploaded 
submissions be in Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf). If the 
submission is in an application other than those two, please indicate 
the name of the application in the ``Type Comment'' field.
    Please do not attach separate cover letters to electronic 
submissions; rather, include any information that might appear in a 
cover letter in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent 
possible, please include any exhibits, annexes, or other attachments in 
the same file as the submission itself and not as separate files.
    As noted, USDOL strongly urges submitters to file comments through 
the www.regulations.gov Web site.
    Comments will be open to public inspection. Comments may be viewed 
on the www.regulations.gov Web site.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on November 9, 2017.
Martha E. Newton,
Deputy Undersecretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-25012 Filed 11-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-28-P

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