2012 DOL Budget Increased for Regulation and Enforcement of Employment Laws

The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Fiscal Year 2012 proposed budget, which was released on Monday, seeks $12.8 billion in discretionary budget authority and 17,848 full-time equivalent employees. Although the proposed budget would reduce the DOL's overall discretionary spending by 5% from current levels, the budget would increase funding for the agencies charged with regulating and enforcing worker protections. The Wage and Hour Division, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs would each receive additional funding under a budget that allocates a total of $1.8 billion for DOL's worker protection agencies.