Alex Fisher, age 14, of Keen, N.H., for his question:
WHEN WAS THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ESTABLISHED?
It wasn't until 1913 that the Department of Labor was established as an executive department of the United States government by an act of Congress "to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners of the United States, to improve their working conditions and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment."
The Department of Labor is administered by a secretary who is appointed by the President with the approval of the Senate. Predecessor agencies were the Bureau of Labor in the Department of the Interior (1884) and the Department of Commerce and Labor (1903).
The secretary of labor is a member of the President's Cabinet and is the chief adviser on labor matters. The secretary is assisted by an undersecretary, various assistant secretaries, the commissioner of labor statistics and the solicitor of labor, who is responsible for the department's legal activities.
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is one of the many offices, bureaus and administrations that make up the Department of Labor. The ETA oversees programs to furnish job training and placement services; supervises payment of unemployment compensation under federal and state laws; and conducts national employment and training programs of Indians and other native Americans, migrant workers and other disadvantaged citizens.
The ETA includes the U.S. Employment Service, Unemployment Insurance Service, Office of Comprehensive Employment Development and Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.
The Employment Standards Administration enforces laws regulating wages and hours and prohibiting sex and age discrimination in employment; administers workers' compensation for work connected disabilities among federal and certain private employees; and supervises equal opportunity requirements for federal contractors.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the government's main fact gathering agency for data relating to American labor.
The Woman's Branch of the Department of Labor formulates policies to promote the welfare of wage earning women by improving their working conditions and their opportunities for professional employment.
The Labor Management Services Administration administers laws that regulate certain activities of unions and private pension and welfare plans and protects the re employment rights of veterans; administers federal labor management relations; and helps strengthen free collective bargaining procedures.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration develops mandatory standards of health and safety, issues penalties for violations, investigates accidents and provides training programs in cooperation with the mining industry.
The Bureau of International Labor Affairs helps formulate international economic policies that affect American workers, represents the U.S. in international trade negotiations and carries out technical assistance projects abroad.