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This pages tells you about the main agencies within the DOL and their mission statements.

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) administers federal government job training and worker dislocation programs, federal grants to states for public employment service programs, and unemployment insurance benefits. These services are primarily provided through state and local workforce development systems.

Mission statement: The mission of the Employment and Training Administration is to contribute to the more efficient functioning of the U.S. labor market by providing high quality job training, employment, labor market information, and income maintenance services primarily through state and local workforce development systems.

The Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA) provides direction and coordination for congressional and intergovernmental liaison and outreach activities for the Department of Labor. OCIA assists the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, agency heads, and departmental staff to develop effective programs and strategies to promote the Department's goals and objectives on Capitol Hill as well as among state and local officials. In addition to congressional and intergovernmental affairs units, OCIA also includes the Department of Labor�s Regional Representatives.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

The BLS is an independent national statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data to the American public, the U.S. Congress, other Federal agencies, State and local governments, business, and labor representatives. The BLS also serves as a statistical resource to the Department of Labor.������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� The BLS data must satisfy a number of criteria, including relevance to current social and economic issues, timeliness in reflecting today�s rapidly changing economic conditions, accuracy and consistently high statistical quality, and impartiality in both subject matter and presentation. To avoid the appearance of partiality, the dates of major data releases are scheduled more than a year in advance, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget.��������������� ����� ���������������������������������������������������������������

Mission statement: The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.

The EBSA is an agency of the United States Department of Labor responsible for administering the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) (The ERISA protects the interests of employee benefit plan participants and their beneficiaries by requiring the disclosure to them of financial and other information concerning the plan). At the time of its name change in February 2003, EBSA was known as the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration (PWBA). Prior to January 1986, PWBA was known as the Pension and Welfare Benefits Program.��������������������������������

Mission statement: To deter and correct violations of the relevant statutes through strong administrative, civil and criminal enforcement efforts to ensure workers receive promised benefits, develop policies and regulations that encourage the growth of employment-based benefits, Assist workers in getting the information they need to exercise their benefit rights, assist plan officials to understand the requirements of the relevant statutes in order to meet their legal responsibilities.

Employment Training and Administration (ETA)

Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)

Agencies in the Department of Labor

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Administrative Review Board (ARB)

Benefits Review Board (BRB)

The Administrative Review Board issues final agency decisions for the Secretary of Labor in cases arising under a wide range of worker protection laws, primarily involving environmental, transportation, and securities whistleblower protection; H-1B immigration provisions; child labor; employment discrimination; job training; seasonal and migrant workers; and federal construction and service contracts.

Mission statement: The Board�s mission is to issue legally correct, just, and timely decisions.

The Department of Labor�s Benefits Review Board was created by Congress in 1972 to review appeals of administrative law judges� decisions arising under the Black Lung Benefits Act, Title IV of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, 30 U.S.C. �901 et seq., and the Longshore and Harbor Workers� Compensation Act, 33 U.S.C. �901 et seq., and its extensions, including the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. �1331 et seq., the Defense Base Act, 42 U.S.C. �1651 et seq., and the Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act, 5 U.S.C. �8171 et seq. The Board has authority to resolve appeals under these statutes, filed by any party-in-interest, which raise a substantial question of law or fact, and it reviews the decisions of administrative law judges in order to determine whether the findings are supported by substantial evidence and are in accordance with law. The Board�s decisions may be appealed to the U.S. Courts of Appeals in the circuit where the injury arose, and from there to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Board, by statute, consists of five Members appointed by the Secretary of Labor, one of whom is designated as Chairman and Chief Administrative Appeals Judge. Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Board�s mission is to issue decisions on the appeals pending before it with expediency, consistency and impartiality.������������������������������������������������������

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Center for Faith Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI)

The Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI) at the U.S. Department of Labor seeks to empower faith-based and community organizations (FBCO) as these organizations help their neighbors enter, succeed and thrive in the workforce.

Mission Statement:To empower the faith-based and community organizations (FBCOs) that help their neighbors prepare for, enter, and thrive in the workforce.

The work of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (the Center) stems from a simple conviction: America can do better for our neighbors in need when we draw upon the unique strengths of every willing partner.

Employee�s Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB)

The Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB) was created in 1946 by statute to hear appeals taken from determinations and awards under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act with respect to claims of federal employees injured in the course of their employment. The Board has final authority to determine the liability of the Federal government with respect to the disability or death of employees injured in the scope of their employment. There is no further administrative or judicial appeal of ECAB decisions. The Board consists of three permanent judges appointed by the Secretary of Labor, one of whom is designated as Chief Judge and Chairman of the Board.

Mission Statement: The Board's mission is to hear and decide cases on appeal from decisions of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) in an impartial and expeditious manner. The decisions of the Board are made in accordance with its statutory mandate, based on a thorough review of the case record as compiled by OWCP. Injured federal workers have the opportunity for a full evidentiary hearing with OWCP's Branch of Hearings and Review prior to review of the record by the Board.

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The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) carries out the international responsibilities of the Department of Labor under the direction of the Deputy Under Secretary for International Labor Affairs. ILAB conducts research on and formulates international economic, trade, immigration, and labor policies in collaboration with other U.S. Government agencies and provides international technical assistance in support of U.S. foreign labor policy objectives. ILAB is working together with other U.S. Government agencies to create a more stable, secure, and prosperous international economic system in which all workers can achieve greater economic security, share in the benefits of increased international trade, and have safer and healthier workplaces where the basic rights of workers and children are respected and protected.

The Bureau of International Affairs (ILAB)

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Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)

The U.S. Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) helps to reduce deaths, injuries, and illnesses in the nation's mines with a variety of activities and programs. The agency develops and enforces safety� and health rules applying to all U.S. mines, helps mine operators who have special compliance problems, and makes available technical, educational and other types of assistance. MSHA works cooperatively with industry, labor, and other Federal and state agencies toward improving safety and health conditions for all miners. MSHA's responsibilities are spelled out in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.�������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Mission statement: The mission of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is to administer the provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), as amended by the Mine� Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act), and to enforce compliance with mandatory safety and health standards as a means to eliminate fatal accidents; to reduce the frequency and severity of nonfatal accidents; to minimize health hazards; and to promote improved safety and health conditions in the Nation's mines.

Occupational Safety and Heath Administration (OSHA)

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.

Mission statement: OSHA's mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Since the agency was created in 1971, occupational deaths have been cut by 62% and injuries have declined by 42%.

Office of Administrative Law Judges (OAJL)

The Federal government consists of three branches: executive, legislative and judicial. The Federal judges you hear most about are employed by the judicial branch. They are district court, court of appeals and U.S. Supreme Court judges.

The executive branch, however, also employs judges, who are referred to as "administrative law judges" or "ALJs".

Mission statement:� Administrative law judges from the United States Department of Labor's Office of Administrative Law Judges preside over formal hearings concerning many labor-related matters. The office's mission is to render fair and equitable decisions under the governing law and the facts of each case.

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Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA)

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Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) was authorized by Congress in the Department of Labor's FY 2001 appropriation. Recognizing the need for a national policy to ensure that people with disabilities are fully integrated into the 21st Century workforce, the Secretary of Labor delegated authority and assigned responsibility to the Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy. ODEP is a sub-cabinet level policy agency in the Department of Labor.

Mission Statement: The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) provides national leadership on disability employment policy by developing and influencing the use of evidence-based disability employment policies and practices, building collaborative partnerships, and delivering authoritative and credible data on employment of people with disabilities.

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Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is responsible for ensuring that contractors doing business with the Federal government do not discriminate and take affirmative action.

Mission Statement: OFCCP administers and enforces three legal authorities that require equal employment opportunity: Executive Order 11246, as amended; Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and the Vietnam Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended, 38 U.S.C. 4212. Taken together, these laws ban discrimination and require Federal contractors and subcontractors to take affirmative action to ensure that all individuals have an equal opportunity for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran.

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Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) conducts audits and evaluations to review the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and integrity of all DOL programs and operations, including those performed by its contractors and grantees. This work is conducted in order to determine whether: the programs and operations are in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations; DOL resources are efficiently and economically being utilized; and DOL programs achieve their intended results.

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Office of Job Corps (OJC)

Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training.

Funded by Congress, Job Corps has been training young adults for meaningful careers since 1964. Job Corps is committed to offering all students a safe, drug-free environment where they can take advantage of the resources provided.

Mission Statement: Job Corps' mission is to attract eligible young people, teach them the skills they need to become employable and independent, and place them in meaningful jobs or further education.

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Office Of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS)

The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration administers and enforces most provisions of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA). The LMRDA was enacted primarily to ensure basic standards of democracy and fiscal responsibility in labor organizations representing employees in private industry. Unions representing U.S. Postal Service employees became subject to the LMRDA with the passage of the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970.

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Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP)

The Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) administers the Department of Labor's responsibility to ensure procurement opportunities for small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, HUBZone businesses, and businesses owned by service-disabled veterans. OSBP serves as the Department's Ombudsman for small businesses under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA), and is active in the Department of Labor's compliance assistance activities. As part of the Department's goal to raise awareness of the opportunities and services available to the small business community, OSBP is committed to expanding its outreach efforts across the United States. OSBP also manages the minority colleges and universities program in order to support the participation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders within the Department's programs and plans.

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