Department of Labor announces latest plans to advance opportunities and services for underserved individuals

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced updated plans to support racial and gender equity in the workforce, it said in a press release on Feb. 14.

According to the DOL, the plan aims to remove barriers for workers and retirees by ensuring gender equity across DOL services, continuing to improve services for those whose primary language is not English, and making sure that individuals in underserved communities can access good jobs. The plan will also focus on supporting workers in the Southeast, where there are fewer worker protections and more wage disparities, and workers are more likely to be unaware of their rights, according to the DOL. The department will also facilitate relationships between local governments and private companies to ensure employers use good hiring and retention practices.

The priorities are an update to the DOL’s Equity Action Plan, which it introduced in 2022 and which focused, in part, on enforcing wage and hour laws, broadening access to DOL services for non-English speaking workers, and diversifying the federal workforce. The agency claims the plan has made significant achievements, including creating an office for language access so workers understand their rights, regardless of what language they speak. The Equal Equity Plan also expanded the Registered Apprenticeship Program, which works with employers to access trained talent in various industries.

“We’re focused on making sure those good jobs are equitable and accessible to all workers, including Black workers, Hispanic workers, workers of color, women, and many more communities that have historically been left out or left behind,” Julie Su, acting secretary of labor, said in the announcement. “When underserved individuals and communities have access and pathways to good jobs, it boosts productivity, innovation and economic well-being for everyone. We will continue to use all of our available resources to expand our economy while promoting the economic and social well-being of all workers.”