DOL Releases Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request
The budget requests funding that will help workers develop skills to meet the 21st economy’s demand.
Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta has released the fiscal year 2018 budget request for the DOL, according to a report. The budget will invest in American workers, helping them get jobs as well as provide families with paid leave, among other topics.
In total, the budget request provides $9.7 billion in funding.
“This budget reflects the Department of Labor’s core mission and commitment to ensuring all Americans have access to good, safe jobs – and does so in a fiscally responsible way,” said Secretary Acosta. “Most importantly, this budget focuses on narrowing the skills gap, and includes a proposal to provide new mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents with paid family leave, the cost of which is completely offset by reforms to the Unemployment Insurance system.”
Highlights of the request include: six weeks of paid family leave, expanded apprenticeships, investment in Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments and an added emphasis on worker safety compliance assistance and outreach.