Program Description

This program is established to guarantee the rights obtained in labor legislation for non-unionized workers in private sector, specifically, with respect to minimum wages, working hours and conditions, protection of working mothers and against unjustified terminations, amongst others.

Objectives

• To inspect work areas to corroborate compliance with labor legislation.

• We expect to receive 10,500 claims on possible law violations, as well as the 1,704 that are presumed pending from year 2010-2011, of which we believe approximately 8,188 will be resolved and 2,060 will be referred to Legal Counseling and Guidance for Workers or to the Office of Settlement and Mediation at the administrative level for a total of de 10,248.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Location inquiries	81,769	91,000	91,000
Provisional building permits	35,783	36,213	39,877
Workers' complaints processed: salaries, layoffs, bond, pregnancy, etc.	8,093	10,701	10,248

The statistical data is provided by the Agency during the budget process for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Customers

All non-unionized workers in the private sector in Puerto Rico

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	112	101	99	99
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	7	14	14	14
Other staff	77	68	65	65
Education and Recreational Services Professionals	1	1	1	1
Total, Positions	197	184	179	179

Program Description

To provide those persons using a motor vehicle as a means of subsistence, a specific compensation when their income is interrupted by illness or condition which keeps them from driving said vehicle. This insurance includes the risks of illness, permanent total disability, a stipend after age of 65 and death of the insured, spouse or children under the age of 15.

Objectives

• To provide orientation to approximately 83,040 people and employers on the services, duties and benefits of the Driver's Social Security Insurance.

• Grant 1,675 compensations for Driver's Insurance.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Customers served	84,989	83,040	83,040
Drivers insurance granted compensations	1,522	1,675	1,675

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

Any person authorized under the law to drive a motor vehicle and who, as an integral part of their work, regularly drives one and receives payment or any other form of compensation for it. Also includes those persons operating a rented vehicle on public roads, paths or private properties as part of their jobs or means of earning a living.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	64	59	55	55
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	1	1	1	1
Other staff	16	16	16	16
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	2	2	2	2
Total, Positions	83	78	74	74

Program Description

To promote the welfare of all workers and their families and improved working and living conditions, via the satisfactory enjoyment of their civil rights. When claims for violations committed by employers in violation of the laws which protect employment have not been resolved at the administrative level, this program is responsible for involving the Courts in representation of the affected workers and has the responsibility of guaranteeing and protecting the rights of the workers and promoting industrial peace via the fair solution of the differences that arise between workers and employers. In addition, it has the obligation to offer adequate orientation and assessment to avoid violations of the law. Cases are submitted for review by the Program for the Administration of Labor Legislation for Non-Unionized Workers and other programs, for legal representation in court actions or in adjudicating forums for compliance with the laws and regulations of the Department of Labor and Human Resources. Execution of the sentences dictated by the courts in favor of the workers are facilitated and accelerated either for collection or imposition of embargos, as needed.

Objectives

• Work 100% of the claims and appeals of the workers, ensuring compliance with labor legislation.

• Increase effectiveness in the resolution of cases, via a joint effort between investigators for the different divisions and the attorneys.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Customers served	11,082	11,636	11,636
Location inquiries	4,117	4,322	4,322
Pending cases	3,138	3,294	3,294
Resolved cases	2,714	2,849	2,849

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

Workers with unresolved wage claims at the administrative level, workers and employers with appeals on decisions on unemployment insurance, driver's insurance, and non-work related disability and employers appealing decisions on work standards, and health and security on the job.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	19	18	18	18
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	3	3	3	3
Total, Positions	22	21	21	21

As in prior fiscal years, during fiscal year 2011-2012 the Department of Labor and Human Resources will pay the operating costs incurred by the Program with its own funds, result of the surplus funds in Special State Funds.

Program Description

Offers financial protection to workers who are losing their jobs for reasons beyond their control, and who are ready and willing to work. It also indemnifies the worker for the loss of income suffered due to his/her involuntary unemployment.

Objective

• Promptly issue unemployment payments to claimants to relieve their financial needs.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Clients benefited	1,562,600	1,539,168	1,514,892
Customers served	1,638,778	1,614,204	1,589,988
Unemployment payments (in dollars)	835,063,417	822,537,467	810,199,405

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 budget formulation process.

Customers

Workers who are covered by Unemployment Insurance who have become involuntarily unemployed, who are able and willing to work, includes agricultural and domestic service workers and federal, state, and municipal ex-employees as well as veterans and employers.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	418	433	424	468
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	4	4	3	3
Other staff	29	23	20	20
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	45	39	38	38
Total, Positions	496	499	485	529

Program Description

Works toward the establishment and maintenance of industrial peace, by carrying out a series of activities geared toward reducing to a minimum the adverse effects of worker-employer conflicts, detrimental to the normal course of industry, commerce and agriculture. Provides conciliatory assistance to the parties involved in the controversy generated as a result of collective bargaining, as well as voluntary mediation service, free of cost, for the quick resolution of controversies originating from the administration, application and interpretation of the collective bargaining agreements. This unit also carries out preventive mediation activity geared toward discovering possible areas of conflict in the worker-employer relationships.

Objective

• To promote industrial peace through reconciliation and mediation services in all labor disputes arising throughout the year.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Customers served	13,811	30,500	30,500
Services and advice to farmers	1,947	3,433	3,433

The statistical data is provided by the Agency during the budget process for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Customers

Labor unions, employers and unionized employees.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	18	16	16	16
Other staff	23	22	23	23
Total, Positions	41	38	39	39

Program Description

Plans and coordinates programs for the Department of Labor and Human Resources and sets the guidelines for the development of public policy relating to labor issues and the use of the human resources in Puerto Rico. Also provides the administrative services that support the operating programs.

Objective

• Provides support to the programs, and identifies resources to finance projects or initiatives developed by the Agency.

Customers

The Department of Labor and Human Resources, operations and management personnel, and of its agencies and units.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	167	145	142	142
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	4	0	0	0
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	8	6	6	6
Total, Positions	179	151	148	148

Program Description

Creates a tax support system for Unemployment Insurance. Up to 1% of the Fund for the Development of Job Opportunities is set aside to promote the creation of new opportunities, extend existing jobs and modify their compensation, amongst others. Besides providing a tax break for employers, it hopes to ensure an even distribution of the costs involved in the unemployment compensation system.

Objective

• To create and maintain an average of 3,000 jobs in the private sector, state agencies and municipalities.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Lectures to students on the importance of protecting the environment	2,000	2,150	2,100
Sponsored jobs	4,300	3,500	3,000

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the budget process for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Customers

Employers

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	114	171	162	99
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	3	3	2	2
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	29	28	31	31
Information Systems	13	13	12	12
Total, Positions	159	215	207	144

Program Description

Works with government agencies for the implementation of affirmative action plans for jobs for young people from 16 to 29 years of age in accordance with the stipulations in Executive Order No. 43 of January 13, 1985, Administrative Bulletin No. OE-1985-43. Also collects statistics and files quarterly reports to the Labor Secretary to check the implementation of said plans.

• Attend the employment needs of our clients via inter-agency proposals.

• Collect statistical information to validate government agencies' compliance with affirmative action plans, as stipulated in Executive Order No. 43 of January 13, 1985, Administrative Bulletin No. OE-1985-43.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Agencies providing information at the GIS Portal	25	35	35
Customers served	1,012	1,900	1,600

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the budget process for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Customers

Unemployed youths between the ages of 16 and 29

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	2	2	0	0
Total, Positions	2	2	0	0

Program Description

Provides socioeconomic statistical information in the field, geared toward the development of public policy. Also conducts research on the needs of the companies in terms of human resources, their training and their skills.

• Produce statistical data in line with the demands of a very particular client, such as: employment and unemployment rates, relevant characteristics of the work force, price index, evaluations of the buying power of the dollar and counseling to the work force.

• Examines the data gathering system to ensure its reliability for the client.

• Collects statistics on non-agricultural jobs.

• Prepares reports of jobs by occupation and makes projections of on the job injuries, illnesses and deaths.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Customers served	15,825	15,876	15,926
Internet visits	26,936	28,417	30,917
Labor force surveys	25	23	25

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the budget process for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Customers

The Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the private sector, universities, centers of higher learning, high schools and elementary schools, community organizations and international organizations.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	18	17	24	24
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	21	17	26	26
Information Systems	65	61	59	59
Total, Positions	104	95	109	109

Program Description

Serves as a link between the company and the worker, helping employers satisfy their need to recruit employees. Also offers occupational counseling services to workers who need to expand their opportunities in the job market.

Objectives

• Lower unemployment by referring 11% of clients looking for jobs.

• Help the unemployed get a job.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Central genealogical registry	0	99,542	100,082
Customers served	94,160	506,244	450,000
Employment Service program jobs placements	6,757	7,097	7,452

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the budget process for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Customers

Industrial workers covered by the Employment Security Act who have become unemployed involuntarily and who are willing and able to work, people who are legally authorized to work, employers in the private sector and all agricultural workers, domestic service providers and state and municipal government workers.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	182	142	226	243
Total, Positions	182	142	226	243

Program Description

Ensures compliance with dispositions in the law which establish public policy on the problem of job discrimination for reasons of age, race, color, religion, political ideals, sex, social origin and nationality of the employee of a job applicant in Puerto Rico. Also, investigates complaints filed by employees and job applicants who allege discrimination for the reasons given.

Objectives

• Provide orientation to clients.

• Resolve an average of 1,100 claims or complaints for discrimination.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Customers served	33,627	33,200	33,670
Employment discrimination attended complaints	976	1,200	1,100

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the budget process for fiscal year 2011-2012

Customers

Employees and job candidates, employers and labor unions.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	5	6	5	6
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	3	3	3	3
Other staff	8	7	7	7
Total, Positions	16	16	15	16

Program Description

Promotes the implementation of federal and state standards on security and health in the work environment through memos, inspections and related complaints in the public sector as well as the private.

• Orient and train 100% of Program participants.

• Make 1,510 inspection visits to work sites.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Customers served	122,173	108,172	136,172
Safety and health at work inspections	1,462	1,510	1,510

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the budget process for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Customers

Central and municipal government and private sector employees, as well as their employers.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	77	67	67	72
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	4	3	3	3
Other staff	71	58	58	58
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	1	3	3	3
Total, Positions	153	131	131	136

Temporary Non-Occupational Disability Insurance

Program Description

Establishes temporary disability insurance for workers who lose income as a result of illness or injury.

Objectives

• Analyze approximately 36,462 applications for benefits to determine eligibility.

• Provide counseling to Program participants as required.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Customers served	36,425	36,303	36,795
Investigations of temporary non occupational disability complaints	98	121	123

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the budget process for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Customers

Government employees, corporation employees that function as a private entily, dependents of insured, employers and insurance companies.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	115	93	104	104
Judges, Lawyers, and Legal Staff	1	1	1	1
Planning, Budget, Statistics, Auditing, and Finance	14	27	15	15
Total, Positions	130	121	120	120

Objective

• Place 85% of the students graduating from the 54 educational, technical and university institutions.

Statistical Data	2010	2011	2012
Customers served	3,500	3,675	3,675
Employment Service program jobs placements	2,975	3,125	3,125
Employment seminars	3,000	3,250	3,250
Guidance on the constitution and organization of labor unions	28	56	56
Registered for job placement	3,500	3,676	3,676

The statistical data was provided by the Agency during the budget process for fiscal year 2011-2012.

Customers

Young university students who are legally authorized to work.

Human Resources

Authorized and Proposed Positions	2009	2010	2011	2012
Managerial,Technical, Administrative, and Office Staff	28	22	21	21
Other staff	1	0	0	0
Total, Positions	29	22	21	21

FISCAL YEAR 2012 ADOPTED BUDGET

The adopted consolidated budget for fiscal year 2011-2012 is $116,476,000. The funds include $85,392,000 from State Special Funds and $31,084,000 in Federal Grants.

Operating Expenses reflect a decrease of $10,516,000, when compared to the funds assigned for fiscal year 2010-2011. This is due to a reduction in non-recurring funds from the Reinvestment and Federal Economic Stimulus Program (ARRA), and a decrease in State Special Funds.

Among the federal programs providing the greatest contributions, we include the: Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action by Federal Contractors and Federal Construction Contractors, Employment Service, Labor Force Statistics, Occupational Safety and Health and Workforce Investment Act. These funds are part of the appropiations to the Department of Labor and Human Resources for administrative expenses and for the operation of the following Programs: Protection from Job Discrimination, Job Counseling Services, Student Employment Services, Statistical Indexes on Employment and Others, Job Safety and Health and Unemployment Benefits Insurance.

State Special Funds are established according to the following laws: Act No. 74 of June 21, 1953, as amended, Special Assistance Fund which is funded from interests, surcharges and penalties for late payment by the employer of the quarterly return on Unemployment Taxes; Act No. 139 of June 26, 1968, Payment of Insurance Premiums; Act No. 428 of May 1, 1950, Driver's Insurance; Act No. 52 of August 9, 1991, a percentage of the Employer Contributions to the Unemployment Insurance. Use of these funds is decreed by law for operating expenses of the different programs and for the creation of proposals for employment in the public, private and municipal sectors.

SUMMARY OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES BY PROGRAM

Administration of Labor Legislation for Non-Unionized Workers

Driver's and Other Employees Social Security Administration

Settlement and Arbitration of Labor Disputes

General Management and Administration

Equal Opportunity Employment for the Youth

Employment and Other Statistical Indexes

Employment Guidance Services and Other Programs

Safety and Health at Work

Temporary Non-Occupational Disability Insurance

Students Employment Services