Global Employment Law - Global News & Commentary on Labor and Employment Issues Worldwide

Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Boost Hiring
Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) released details about the Hire Now Tax Cut Act of 2010, legislation that provides an exemption for an employer that hires a worker who has been without full-time work for at least 60 days from paying the employer's share of Social Security taxes on that worker for 2010. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Carl Levin (D-MI) and Mark Begich (D-AK) introduced the Small Business Job Creation Tax Act of 2010, legislation which would provide employers that increase their payroll by a certain percentage a one-time tax credit of 20% for small employers and 15% for large employers (those with more than 100 full-time employees). Read the full post here. (February 5)

Senate Confirms Patricia Smith as Labor Solicitor
By a party-line vote of 60-37, the Senate has confirmed the nomination of Patricia Smith to be the U.S. Solicitor of Labor. Read the full post here. (February 4)

Department of Transportation Proposes to Amend Drug-Testing Procedures
The Department of Transportation will publish in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend certain drug-testing procedures in order to conform them to the Department of Health and Human Services laboratory drug-testing requirements. Read the full post here. (February 3)

Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Launches Open Government Web Page
As part of President Obama's Open Government initiative, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission has created a web site that provides information on the agency's monthly case docket, chart of case activity, and briefing notices. Read the full post here. (February 3)

Obama Unveils Stimulus Plan for Small Businesses
During his State of the Union address, President Obama proposed using $30 billion in repaid funds that financial institutions received through the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to increase the ability of small businesses to obtain loans. In addition, Obama called for tax incentives for businesses to invest in new plants and equipment, and the elimination of capital gains taxes on small business investment. Read the full post here. (February 2)

2011 Budget Targets Independent Contractor Misclassification
The fiscal year 2011 federal budget contains provisions to combat misclassification of employees as independent contractors. Included in this $3.8 trillion spending measure is a proposal--to be jointly administered by the Departments of Labor and the Treasury--to eliminate legal incentives for employers to misclassify their employees. Read the full post here. (February 2)

Obama Releases Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Proposal
President Obama unveiled a $3.8 trillion budget for fiscal year 2011, $14 billion of which is allocated to the Department of Labor. Read the full post here. (February 1)

Office of Labor-Management Standards Proposes Rescission of Union Trust Reporting Requirements
The Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards will issue a notice of proposed rulemaking on its plans to amend regulations on union trust reporting requirements under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. Read the full post here. (February 1)