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DOL, DOJ strengthen partnership to protect workers

The US Department of Labor and the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice signed a memorandum of understanding [1] to strengthen the partnership between the two agencies to protect workers from anticompetitive conduct, including through collusive behavior and misclassification of employees.

The memorandum of understanding, or MOU, announced new steps the two agencies will take to strengthen this partnership. Through greater coordination in information sharing, enforcement activity and training, the two agencies will maximize the enforcement of federal laws, including worker protection laws under the Labor Department’s jurisdiction and the antitrust laws enforced by the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. In particular, this MOU will allow the two agencies to refer cases of potentially illegal activity to each other, as appropriate, and to coordinate on policy, strategy and training.

“Protecting competition in labor markets is fundamental to the ability of workers to earn just rewards for their work, to live out the American dream, and to provide for their families,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “By cooperating more closely with our colleagues in the Department of Labor, we can share enforcement information, collaborate on new policies, and ensure that workers are protected from collusion and unlawful employer behavior. Protecting the right of workers to earn a fair wage is core to the work of both our agencies, and it will continue to receive extraordinary vigilance from the Antitrust Division.”

“Anticompetitive practices harm both workers and high-road employers,” said Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda. “The Department of Labor looks forward to collaborating with the Antitrust Division to ensure there is a level playing field in the labor market and that workers receive their fair pay. Through this partnership, we will work together to tackle unlawful behavior that we are seeing across industries — including misclassification and wage fixing. This is an important moment in recognizing that protecting competition protects workers. Working with the Department of Justice to root out these unscrupulous practices will help us empower workers and improve job quality.”

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