U.S.A.'s interesting latest news

U.S. Department of Labor March 6, 2020 273,000 New Jobs Job gains beat expectations, with 273,000 new jobs in February, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Upward revisions also added a total of 85,000 new jobs in December and January. T-1 Annual Report Rule A final rule from the Department's Office of Labor-Management Standards aims to increase financial transparency and encourage responsible union democracy. Two Years of Low Unemployment The unemployment rate dropped to 3.5% in February, matching the lowest level in 50 years, and it has remained at or below 4% for two years. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Fraud Sentence A Southern California sleep study clinic owner was sentenced to prison and ordered to restore $2,747,071 to healthcare benefit plans after a Department investigation uncovered healthcare fraud. Overtime Pay Restored After a Department investigation, a Louisiana contractor has paid 411 workers $495,901 in back wages to resolve overtime violations. Contractor Compliance A new Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs plan addresses six key areas to assist federal contractors with compliance. Consent Judgment A Pennsylvania adult care provider must pay $400,000 in back wages, damages, and penalties following a Department investigation. Workplace Supported Recovery Share your ideas with NIOSH on workplace supported recovery to help workers and employers facing the drug crisis in their communities. Overtime Pay The Department has recovered $139,165 in back wages for 47 Texas oil field diesel services workers to resolve overtime violations. Wage Recovery Two Florida electrical contractors have paid $175,413 in back wages and benefits after the Department found federal contract violations. STAT OF THE WEEK Wage Growth Continues Average hourly earnings grew by 3% year-over-year in February for all private sector workers, and production and non-supervisory workers' wages increased even faster—3.3%. February marks the 19th consecutive month that wages grew at or above 3%. COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHT Healthcare Guidance OSHA has workplace safety tips and resources for healthcare and social service professionals and their employers.

USCIS is incorporating existing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the submission of benefit requests. This policy incorporates and replaces Chapter 10.1 of the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM), as well as any related AFM appendices and policy memoranda. This update is part of a larger initiative to move all policy guidance from the AFM into the Policy Manual, the agency’s centralized online repository for immigration policies. Content in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any prior guidance. The Policy Alert is available here:

• Policy Alert: Submission of Benefit Requests (Final date for comments: March 18, 2020)

Visit the Policy Manual for Comment page for more information on public review and comment.

Notice of DHS's Requirement of the Temporary Labor Certification Final Determination Under the H-2B Temporary Worker Program

03/06/2020 12:00 AM EST

Notice of DHS's Requirement of the Temporary Labor Certification Final Determination Under the H-2B Temporary Worker Program

Notice of DHS's Requirement of the Temporary Labor Certification Final Determination Under the H-2A Temporary Worker Program

03/06/2020 12:00 AM EST

Notice of DHS's Requirement of the Temporary Labor Certification Final Determination Under the H-2A Temporary Worker Program

The FTC goes after several top affiliates of MOBE by Cristina Miranda, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC Who doesn’t want to earn easy, fast money online, and make six figures a year? That’s what an online business coaching and investment opportunity called “My Online Business Education”, or MOBE, promised. Finding the company behind it didn’t deliver on their claims, the FTC shut them down in 2018. Even with the company shuttered, FTC then went after Affiliates who had promoted MOBE. Read more> FTC: Detox tea claims are hard to swallow by Colleen Tressler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC Looking to improve your health or lose a few pounds? Maybe detox teas promoted by celebrities on social media have caught your eye. Before you pay up and down a cup, listen to what the FTC has to say about one purveyor of such potions. Read more > "Doing Business in the United Arab Emirates" Webinar March 10, 2020, 9 - 10 a.m. ET $25 per participant     Learn about the business opportunities in the United Arab Emirates and the leading sectors for U.S. exporters:  renewable energy, oil and gas, safety and security, defense, construction, education, healthcare, automotive, information technology, conventional power, and aerospace.  Join the Honorable John Rakolta, U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates as well as representatives from the the U.S. Commercial Service, the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Dentons Law Firm, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.   Doing Business in the United Arab Emirates Flyer 2020 Census Invitations Arrive March 12-20 Ninety-five percent or about 143 million households in the country will receive an initial invitation to respond to the 2020 Census in their mailboxes between March 12 and 20. The U.S. Census Bureau released informational copies today of the invitations, the enclosed materials, and the subsequent reminders households will receive. These materials can help the public know what to expect and avoid potential scams. Read More Households are encouraged to respond when they receive their invitation. Depending on how likely the area is to respond online, households will receive either an invitation encouraging them to respond online or by phone (about 112 million households), or an invitation along with a paper questionnaire (about 31 million households). All invitations will include a short phrase in English and 12 additional languages inviting people to respond online or by phone in their language. In areas where 20 percent or more of the households need Spanish assistance, the invitations will be in both English and Spanish. All households receiving an invitation in the mail will receive a second letter in the mail shortly after reminding them to respond. Then, households that still haven’t responded will receive a series of additional reminders, including a paper questionnaire in mid-April. Census takers will follow up with households that don’t respond to collect responses in person. See the press kit for copies of the materials arriving by mail and the 2020 Census Mail Contact Strategies map viewer for the type of invitation each household will receive. The Census Bureau also released 2020 Census operational b-roll and photos to assist reporters. The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Thursday, March 5, 2020 China: FAIRS Country Report China implemented or proposed several significant food and agricultural import regulations and standards in 2019. The Implementing Regulations of the 2015 Food Safety Law entered into force on December 1, 2019. Also this year, China issued two national food safety standards on maximum residue limits, one for pesticides (GB 2763-2019) and another for veterinary drugs (GB 13650-2019), both of which will enter into force during the first half of 2020. In addition, the Chinese government announced plans to revise the Administrative Measures for Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Foods (AQSIQ Decree 145) to expand the requirement to all food and beverage products. This report presents the key regulations and standards applicable to food and agricultural imports, and includes changes to existing standards. Given the dynamic nature of China’s food regulations, U.S. exporters should verify the full set of import requirements with foreign customers prior to shipping. China: FAIRS Export Certificate Report This report lists the major registration requirements and export certificates required for food and agricultural exports to the People’s Republic of China. The country’s import documentation requirements are dynamic, with the Chinese government still in the process of transferring registration and certification functions to the new competent authorities created through the 2018 government reorganization. In 2019, China released two major pieces of food and agricultural import related regulation: 1) the Implementing Regulations of the 2015 Food Safety Law and 2) draft overseas facilities registration measures designed to replace AQSIQ Decree 145. For more information on the new regulations as well as a comprehensive look at China’s import requirements, please see the latest China Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Narrative Report. Costa Rica: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual Transgenic seed varieties have been grown in Costa Rica since 1992 with all seeds being exported to other countries. Costa Rica has implemented legislation to regulate the import and cultivation of genetically engineered crops but there is currently no requirement that foods containing genetically engineered components be labeled. The Costa Rican National Technical Biosafety Commission (NTBC) has started to meet regularly again, which is very important for the companies interested in planting genetically engineered products in the country. EU-27: Livestock and Products Semi-annual In 2019, the EU swine sector took full advantage of the surge in demand from China as nearly two-thirds of China’s imports were sourced from the EU. Good profit margins for the sector led to an expansion of the EU breeding herd in 2019, which is expected to lead to another pork export record in 2020. Spain is accounting for most of the export growth and is surpassing Germany as the biggest pork producer in the EU. Unlike swine, the total EU cattle herd is shrinking due to a lack of profit margins in the dairy and beef sector. Exceptions are in the dairy herd in Ireland and the beef herd in Spain, Italy, and Central Europe.  Japan: USJTA Treatment for Coarse Grains This is one in a series of reports providing concise overviews of how the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA), which entered into force on January 1, 2020, affects certain product groups. Once USJTA is fully implemented, nearly 90 percent of all U.S. food and agricultural products imported into Japan will be duty free or receive preferential tariff access. Please note that the information provided is not fully comprehensive and additional details may be found in the agreement text itself.  Additional information is available at www.usdajapan.org/usjta. Japan: USJTA Treatment for Coffee Tea and Spices This is one in a series of reports providing concise overviews of how the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA), which entered into force on January 1, 2020, affects certain product groups. Once USJTA is fully implemented, nearly 90 percent of all U.S. food and agricultural products imported into Japan will be duty free or receive preferential tariff access. Please note that the information provided is not fully comprehensive and additional details may be found in the agreement text itself.  Additional information is available at www.usdajapan.org/usjta. Nicaragua: FAIRS Export Certificate Report This report lists Nicaraguan import requirements for export certification and import permits for agrochemicals, veterinary products, feedstuffs and food products for human consumption. There were no significant changes on the export certificates in 2019. The last change reported in 2018 is that FDA stopped issuing the certificate of free sale for most of its food products, including conventional foods, food additives and substances that are in contact with infant food. FDA will instead be issuing the “Certificate to a Foreign Government” or the “Export Certificate” for most food products under its jurisdiction. Panama: Exporter Guide This report provides information to U.S. exporters of agricultural and related products on how to do business in Panama. Panama is an attractive market for exporting U.S. agricultural food products. Its culturally diverse population, geographical location, and love for American food and culture provide for increasing export opportunities for U.S. high value food and beverage products. In 2019, U.S. agricultural and related products exports to Panama reached an estimated $610.7 million. Panama has an ambitious public infrastructure plan and an expanding services sector that benefits from the country’s emerging role as a regional hub for trade. Panama: Hotel Restaurant Institutional Panama is an attractive market for exporting U.S. agricultural food products. Its culturally diverse population, geographical location, and love for American food and culture provide for increasing export opportunities for U.S. high value food and beverage products. U.S. agricultural related products exports to Panama in the first half of 2019 reached $623.3 million. Panama has an ambitious public infrastructure plan and an expanding services sector that benefits from the country’s emerging role as a regional hub for trade. The hotel, restaurant and institution sectors are seeking high quality food products, services, culinary technology, and “trendy” foods to meet customer demands. The proliferation of pop-up restaurants, food trucks, specialized gastronomy, and international cuisine, backed by restaurant delivery services and online delivery platforms are excellent examples of such advancements. South Korea: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual In April 2019, the Rural Development Administration (RDA) announced the creation of its Center to Commercialize New Breeding Technologies. This Center will lead Korea’s development of innovative biotechnologies including genome editing for seven years beginning in 2020 with a budget of 76 billion Korean won (approximately $63 million USD). Korea is coordinating with relevant ministries to set policy on innovative biotechnologies. There has been no improvement on approval of genetically engineered (GE) products. After the detection of GE wheat in the United States in June 2019, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has been testing all incoming wheat and wheat flour from the United States to confirm absence of the unapproved GE wheat event. All tests were negative. Tanzania: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual Tanzania Government allows the importation of Genetic Engineered (GE) products from United States and other countries that meets national standards. However, there is no GE food in the Tanzanian market. The strict liability clause in the Bio-safety Regulations of 2009 continues to deter the commercialization of GE products for cultivation or import. Tanzania: FAIRS Export Certificate Report This report compliments the FAIRS Country Annual Report and provides information on certificates required by the Government of Tanzania (GoT) to export food and agricultural products into Tanzania. GoT provides Tanzania National Business Portal as a single point for exporters and importers to electronically submit and receive approvals from all the regulatory agencies that are involved in international trade.   Turkey: Oilseeds and Products Annual Turkey’s total production of oilseeds in Marketing Year (MY) 2020/21 is projected to decrease about five percent compared to MY 2019/20, totaling 3.04 million metric tons (MMT). Turkey continues to be import dependent for cooking oil and meal for the feed sector. Accordingly, in MY 2019/20 Turkey’s sunflowerseed import forecast is 950,000 MT of oilseed sunflowerseed, 1.1 MMT of sunflowerseed meal, and 550,000 MT of sunflowerseed oil to meet domestic and re-export demands. Turkey’s MY 2019/20 soybean imports are forecast to reach 2.8 MMT.