The Department of Labor's Mission

The Department of Labor (DOL) fosters, promotes and develops the welfare of the wage earners of the United States to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment. In carrying out this mission, the Department administers a variety of Federal labor laws guaranteeing workers' rights to safe and healthful working conditions; a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay; workers compensation; freedom from employment discrimination; and unemployment insurance. The Department also protects workers' pension and other benefit rights; provides job-training programs; helps workers find jobs; helps employers find workers; works to strengthen free collective bargaining; and keeps track of changes in employment, prices and other national economic measurements. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Department is working hard to reform its regulatory system so that the laws it administers achieve their intended aims; that its regulations are effectively carried out, but are sensitive to the concerns of individuals and businesses charged with carrying them out.