1、www.crs.gov | 7-5700 September 7, 2018 Major Functions of the U.S. Department of LaborCreation of the Department of Labor The Department of Labor (DOL) was created in 1913 by “An Act to create a Department of Labor” (P.L. 62-426). Its purpose was “to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the w
2、age earners of the United States, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment.” P.L. 62-426 initially authorized a new mediation service and four pre-existing bureaus. Numerous laws since 1913 have added program and enforcement responsibilities t
3、o DOL such that it is now comprised of multiple entities that provide services related to worker protection, income support, workforce development, and labor statistics. DOL administers and enforces more than 180 federal laws. The Scope of DOLs Activities DOL is responsible for program administratio
4、n as well as enforcement and compliance activities. This involves not only administering financial resources but also the regulatory coverage of the numerous statutes that DOL administers and enforces. Unlike many federal agencies, DOL is not primarily a grant-making organization. While some of DOLs
