what does the department of labor do

The Department of Labor (DOL) is a federal agency in the United States that fosters, promotes, and develops the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the country. The DOL administers a variety of federal labor laws to guarantee workers rights to fair, safe, and healthy working conditions, including minimum hourly wage and overtime pay, protection against employment discrimination, and unemployment insurance. The department also helps employers find workers, strengthens free collective bargaining, and tracks changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements. Some of the major laws administered and enforced by the DOL include the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The DOLs mission is to improve working conditions and advance opportunities for profitable employment while protecting retirement and health care benefits.