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U.S. Department of Labor

March 18, 2022

Equal Pay Day Equal Pay Day represents the number of extra days women must work to be paid what men received the previous year. This year on Equal Pay Day, the White House announced steps the administration is taking to advance pay equity and promote women’s economic security. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh participated in an event at the U.S. Capitol highlighting the wage gap, and we issued a report on the impact of racial and gender inequality on women workers. In addition, our Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs issued a directive that aims to help federal contractors address and prevent pay inequality. Read the impact report and related materials Read the White House fact sheet Watch the Equal Pay Day event at the Capitol Learn about the new pay equity audit directive The future of work In Austin this week for SXSW, Secretary Walsh showed off his cowboy boots and spoke with CNN's Poppy Harlow and Politico's Daniel Lippman about worker empowerment, our historic economic recovery and the future of work. American Rescue Plan funds career pathways for America’s workers Across the country, businesses and organizations are using American Rescue Plan funds to build back a better America. This week, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Employment and Training Administration Angela Hanks traveled to Arizona and Nevada with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to visit community colleges creating pathways to good careers. Funding opportunities will support efforts to improve employment and training services around the country We’re offering millions in grants to connect America’s workers with good jobs, including: $1.3 million to provide employment and training services for workers displaced by a workplace fire in North Carolina $855,377 to continue providing employment and training services in response to aviation industry layoffs in Kansas $800,000 to provide humanitarian assistance to workers in the Northern Mariana Islands IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Grants webinar Do you work for an organization that combats labor exploitation around the world? We may have grants for you! Learn more in our March 29 webinar. Whistleblower protections OSHA has ordered an ammunition manufacturer to reinstate an employee who voiced concerns about stock transactions, and pay $597,000 in damages, back wages and costs. Misclassification corrected A home healthcare staffing agency and its owner must pay nearly $410,000 to 43 employees after misclassifying them as independent contractors. Violation citations OSHA cited a Rhode Island concrete supplier for serious safety and health violations after a worker repairing a cement truck suffered fatal head injuries. Math careers If you’re considering a career involving math, check out these growing occupations with median annual wages above $41,950 (the median wage for all workers in 2020). WORKER RESOURCE Workplace accommodations for people with long COVID Some people who have had COVID-19 experience lingering symptoms. “Long COVID” may include fatigue, pain and brain fog, and symptoms can be severe – even for people who initially had mild symptoms. If long COVID is affecting your ability to work as you did before, you may be entitled to workplace accommodations.

The following GAIN reports were released on March 17, 2022. _______   Burma: Burma Releases Labeling Order for Prepackage Food The Burmese Government published new labeling requirements for prepackage food on January 20, 2022. An unofficial translation of the original order is attached to this report.   China: Oilseeds and Products Annual Rising feed demand coupled with limited availability and higher prices for protein-rich substitutes is expected to increase China’s soybean imports to a record forecast 100 million metric tons (MMT) in Marketing Year (MY) 22/23. Estimated soybean imports for MY 21/22 are reduced to 95 MMT from the previous Post estimate on continuing weak demand in the swine and poultry sectors and announced plans to auction state reserves. Oilseed production is forecast to increase slightly to 62.4 MMT in MY 22/23 on strong domestic prices and government incentives.   Ghana: Ghana's Agricultural Subsidy Program The Government of Ghana is pursuing an import substitution agenda regarding rice and chicken meat. Two key policies that will provide subsidies to farmers engaged in rice, corn, sorghum, soybean, and broiler production have been rolled out.   India: Livestock and Products Semi-annual FAS New Delhi forecasts carabeef (which is derived from the Asian domestic water buffalo) and beef (bovine) production to rise in 2022 to approximately 4.5 million metric tons (MMT), an increase of nearly seven percent from the market year (MY) 2021 estimate of 4.2 million metric tons. India’s 2022 carabeef and beef consumption is forecast at 2.9 MMT, representing a nearly five percent increase from last year’s estimate of about 2.8 million metric tons. The third wave impact of COVID-19 (December 2021-February 2022) on the economy has not been as severe as the previous waves, and this should help strengthen household and hotel-restaurant-institutional (HRI) demand for high-protein animal meat in 2022. Carabeef and beef exports for 2022 are forecast at about 1.6 MMT on expected steady demand from Egypt, Malaysia, and Middle Eastern markets. [Note: Carabeef and beef production are reported in carcass weight equivalent (CWE)].   Kazakhstan: Grain and Feed Update This report contains FAS-Nur-Sultan’s production estimates for MY2021/22 and trade estimates for MY2022/23. Post forecasts no significant change to wheat planted area for MY2022/23. While the government announced agricultural credit and subsidy policies to increase production, grain producer contacts were pessimistic about the upcoming planting season, given last year’s dry conditions and this winter’s reduced snow cover in several grain producing regions. In response to civil unrest in January, the government announced new measures to protect domestic food security, boost producer incomes, and control domestic food inflation. Kazakhstani grain exports during MY2021/22 to China remained low due to pandemic-related transportation restrictions.   Mexico: Grain and Feed Annual Mexico’s corn, wheat, and sorghum production in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 are forecast marginally lower than the previous year due to rising input costs, reduced government support, and expected adverse weather conditions from La Nina. On the other hand, rice production is projected to increase slightly based on the return to service of irrigation infrastructure in certain growing regions. Feed grain demand will continue to grow in MY 2022/23, led by corn, facilitating modest growth in imports. The United States is expected to remain Mexico’s principal grain supplier due to established trading relationships and supply chain logistics. Mexico’s grain production and imports are subject to its biotechnology regulatory policy, which has become increasingly uncertain under the current administration.   Morocco: FAIRS Annual Country Report Annual This report outlines Moroccan government requirements for the importation of food and agricultural products for human and animal consumption. The report aims to assist U.S. exporters by providing an assessment of laws and requirements for food and agricultural products imposed on imports. It also provides points of contact for key Moroccan government authorities.   Morocco: Morocco Bans Ornamental Plant Imports from Xylella Fastidiosa-Infested Countries This report includes the unofficial translation of a notice to importers issued by the Moroccan food safety authority (ONSSA) regarding the suspension of the import of ornamental plants and parts of plants from countries infested with Xylella fastidiosa. At present, the measure is being applied across various commodities, countries of origin, and Moroccan ports through the issuance of import permits.   Peru: Oilseeds and Products Annual Fishmeal exports reached a surprising 1.2 million metric tons (MMT) in MY 2021, the highest amount in ten years. However, production and exports are forecast to return to more normal levels at 910,000 and 896,000 metric tons, respectively.   Turkey: Poultry and Products Semi Annual Turkey’s production of chicken meat in 2022 is projected higher, in large part because of anticipated strong export demand from neighboring countries and China. Additionally, the uncertainty of Ukrainian chicken exports to select Middle Eastern markets may also fuel increased demand for Turkish chicken meat in these markets. However, if local market conditions warrant, the Ministry of Agriculture & Forest (MinAF) may restrict chicken meat exports to ensure that there are sufficient, affordable supplies available to Turkish consumers. Meantime, rising input costs will continue tempering greater production gains and will put upward pressure on retail chicken meat prices. In response to these higher retail prices, consumption levels are expected to remain flat year-over-year.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

USDA Trade Mission to Dubai in Focus: A Visit to Camelicious Shows US-UAE Trade in Action Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley recently traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to kick off the first U.S. Department of Agriculture-sponsored in-person trade mission since November 2019. Administrator Whitley led a delegation of U.S. agribusinesses, farm organizations, state departments of agriculture, and state and regional trade representatives interested in exploring diverse export opportunities across the Middle East, on several site visits to meet with importers and agribusinesses in Dubai. One incredible destination during the trip was Camelicious, the first and largest camel milking farm in the world. Their visit began with a tour of the Camelicious plant and farm facilities to observe how camel milk is collected, processed, and packaged. After sampling camel milk products, the delegation ventured outdoors to greet a few camels up close, offering carrots to them for an afternoon snack. For Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the visit was particularly meaningful as Camelicious imports California Grown feed for their operation.   Please click here to read more >>>

Search OFAC's Sanctions Lists SDN List Additional Sanctions Lists Sanctions FAQs Press Releases OFAC Sanctions Programs Contact OFAC Issuance of Russia-related General License 24; Publication of amended Frequently Asked Question The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued Ukraine-/Russia-related General License 24. In addition, OFAC has amended one Frequently Asked Question. For more information on this specific action, please visit this page.

Stay Connected With Us on Social Media We're bringing you some of the most popular, timely, and notable posts from across the Census Bureau’s social media channels.  Here are some recent highlights:   America Counts: Who Was Undercounted, Overcounted in the 2020 Census? On March 10, we released the most detailed estimates to date of the undercount and overcount in the 2020 Census. While both showed the strength of the count for the total U.S. population, each analysis revealed that the census overcounted or undercounted various groups. Read more about the new results on America Counts. Explore Census History: Eartha Mary Magdalene White Eartha Mary Magdalene White was born in 1876 to former slaves near Jacksonville, Florida, where she helped enumerate the local population for the 1910 Census. White was a successful entrepreneur who launched a taxi business and other companies, a philanthropist who founded a community outreach center, and a civil rights activist. Learn more about her remarkable life as we celebrate Women's History Month. Learn More Census History: 1950 Census - Enumerator Maps Our geographers and cartographers produced nearly 200,000 enumeration district maps by hand for the 1950 Census. The 143,000 census takers conducting the 1950 Census carried these maps to help them account for every household in the United States. The 1950 Census records are set to be released by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration on April 1. Learn More Follow the Census Bureau Director on Twitter! Don't miss a thing! Join more than 460,000 subscribers who receive Census Bureau updates across our social media channels. @CensusDirector Help us spread the word about Census Bureau data! Share this newsletter on social media or forward it to a friend. Share This America Counts: Gender Wage Gap for Top Occupations by State ICYMI: National median earnings for civilians who worked full-time, year-round in the past 12 months was $53,544 for men compared to $43,394 for women, according to our 2019 American Community Survey. What's the gender wage gap in your state? Read More Census History: 1950 Census - Filling Out the Forms Prior to the 1950 Census, enumerators would visit residents to record their census responses. The 1950 Census was the first time that the Census Bureau tested having residents fill out the decennial census forms themselves in select states, known as self-enumeration. By 1970, self-enumeration had become the standard. Learn More Director Santos Delivers Remarks About 2020 Census Quality Results If you missed our March 10 news conference to share estimates of undercounts and overcounts in the 2020 Census, watch a quick overview from Census Bureau Director Robert Santos. View Video Census History: 1940 Census Resources from NARA The 1940 Census records were released to the public by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration in 2012. Ahead of the release of the 1950 Census records on April 1, get a start on your family's genealogy research with 1940 Census records. Learn More SIS Kahoot! Game: Irish American Heritage Month From data on people of Irish ancestry in the United States to trade with Ireland, our Statistics In Schools Kahoot! interactive game is a fun way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and Irish American Heritage Month. Play the Game   On March 15, 2022, the SBA announced additional deferment of principal and interest payments for existing COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program borrowers for a total of 30 months deferment from inception on all approved COVID EIDL loans. The extended deferment period will provide additional flexibility to small business owners impacted by the pandemic, especially those in hard-hit sectors managing disruption with recent variants, as well as recent supply chain and inflation challenges amid a growing economic recovery. Learn more   Thursday, March 17, 2022 marked the one year anniversary of Isabella Casillas Guzman being sworn in as the 27th Administrator of the SBA. While she has led the SBA, the economy has grown at its fastest rate in decades. And, job creation and new business applications have reached record highs. For more highlights on the past year, watch this video from Administrator Guzman. ICYMI: Administrator Guzman’s Instagram Live with Entrepreneur Jeni Britton of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams In celebration of year one at the SBA, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman sat down with Jeni Britton of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams to talk about what drives women entrepreneurs, advice for businesses starting out, and how the SBA helped Jeni along her entrepreneurship journey.  Watch Join the U.S. Small Business Administration on March 31, 2022 for an online event celebrating Women’s History Month. You will hear from industry experts including Natalie Madeira Cofield, SBA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership; Candace Waterman, President and CEO of the Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP); Alisa Sheard, SBA Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Government Contracting; and Michelle Sherod, President and CEO of Accounting Legal & Logistics Solutions, Inc. The discussion will focus on financial wellness for women-owned small businesses, the importance of increasing equity and access to opportunities that help uplift and support women entrepreneurs, and SBA initiatives and resources that support existing women-owned small businesses and new startups as they pivot and grow in a post-COVID world. Register   In celebration of Women’s History Month, join the SBA's Office of Women’s Business Ownership and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center for the virtual Women’s Business Summit on March 29-30, 2022. The free event will include power-packed panels, inspirational fireside chats, and 'Ask an Expert' workshops to help you build, scale, and grow your business. Panels and discussion topics include: Innovation and Investment Building an Equitable Recovery Framework for Women Entrepreneurs From Essential Worker to Essential Entrepreneur: CARE Economy Entrepreneurship Opportunities The $100B Marketplace: Contracting Opportunities for Women-led Firms Exporting & E-Commerce The Changing Landscape for Entertainment and Hospitality Industries Register Get Inspired: Small Business Success Story In celebration of Women's History Month, we are highlighting small business owners like Christy Clark who is making an impact on the economy and her community. For years, Clark struggled as a single mother, moving dozens of times to escape an abusive relationship and to protect her family. Sixteen years ago, she moved to Bardstown, Kentucky, opening an antique and sewing shop with her mother and daughter. The business evolved into Mammy's Kitchen & Bar, a full-service restaurant and bar. The home cooking and family atmosphere were a hit with locals and tourists and the business quickly grew. For guidance on what to do next, Clark reached out to her local Small Business Development Center, which helped her develop a plan and find capital to expand the business to a bigger, renovated space.  Read more National Small Business Week 2022 Save the date! National Small Business Week: Building a Better America Through Entrepreneurship will take place May 1-7, 2022. The virtual summit will acknowledge small businesses from across the country for their resilience, ingenuity, and creativity. It will also recognize SBA partners for their involvement in entrepreneurial development, disaster recovery, government contracting, financial development, and overall support for small businesses and entrepreneurship.    Learn more   If you own a small business in the construction or service industry, you may need a surety bond. SBA-backed surety bonds can help you compete for larger contracts and grow your business.  Learn more Join the IRS for a series of online meetings in March (divided by location/states) for small business organizations and owners. The meetings will include: Presentations from IRS leadership covering the top tax issues affecting small business owners regarding income, deductions, employment taxes and recordkeeping How to get ready for the 2022 filing season Tax scams targeting small businesses  How the IRS is reorganizing to better serve small business taxpayers Listening session to hear concerns, feedback and suggestions from participants Learn more   Paycheck Protection Program borrowers: If your loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through SBA using our online portal. Follow the steps below. Find out if your lender is participating.  Watch a video about how to use the portal. Apply for forgiveness. For additional information, visit the SBA website.   Thanks to vaccines, small businesses across America have opened back up. Keep the momentum going by getting vaccinated. Find a vaccine provider near you.  Learn more