[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 61 (Thursday, March 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 13881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7568]



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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of the Secretary


Submission for OMB Emergency Review; Comment Request

March 22, 1996.
    The Department of Labor has submitted the following (see below) 
information collection request (ICR), utilizing emergency review 
procedures, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). OMB approval has been requested by 
April 5, 1996. A copy of this ICR, with applicable supporting 
documentation, may be obtained by calling the Department of Labor 
Acting Departmental Clearance Officer, Theresa M. O'Malley (202) 219-
5095).
    Comments and questions about the ICR listed below should be 
forwarded to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: 
OMB Desk Officer for the Women's Bureau, Office of Management and 
Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, (202) 395-7316.
    The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
    Agency: Women's Bureau.
    Title: The Fair Pay Information Clearinghouse Information 
Collection.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Affected Public: Solicitors and/or Commissions on Women of 50 
states, including local jurisdictions and school districts; 
approximately 20 state entities that have made fair pay adjustments, 
and ten researchers working in the field of fair pay.
    Number of Respondents: Approximately 180 respondents.
    Estimated Time Per Respondent: 9 hours.
    Total Burden Hours: 1,600.
    Total Burden Cost (Startup): $19,160.
    Total Burden Cost (Maintenance): $19,160 for each subsequent year.
    Description: In May 1994, the United States Department of Labor's 
Women's Bureau launched an unprecedented nationwide initiative--Working 
Women Count! The Working Women Count! questionnaire asked working women 
what they liked and disliked about their jobs, and what they would like 
to change. More than a quarter of a million women from all 50 states 
answered: ``Improving pay scales * * *'' was one of their highest 
priorities for workplace change, along with the way women's work is 
valued and recognized. They clearly conveyed that they do not receive 
the level of pay and benefits needed to support themselves and their 
families. When 75% of working women are paid $25,000 a year or less and 
a majority of women workers still work in traditionally female, and 
often low-paid jobs, women have a difficult time providing adequately 
for their own and their families' needs.
    At a White House event in October 1994 to highlight the results of 
the Working Women Count! survey, President Clinton directed Secretary 
Robert Reich and the Director of the Women's Bureau to develop a set of 
proposals to address the concerns expressed in Working Women Count! On 
April 10, 1995, President Clinton accepted the Women's Bureau 
recommendations on the Federal government's role in making work better 
for women. The Fair Pay Information Clearinghouse is an integral 
component of the Bureau's recommendations to assist employees and 
employers who want to improve wage-setting practices by valuing the 
work done by a majority of women workers in the United States.
    The Clearinghouse's computerized database information will provide 
technical assistance on successful efforts to identify and remove sex 
and race discrimination in wage setting policies. Clearinghouse 
customers will include employees, employers, and organizations. 
Technical assistance will be available to customers contacting the 
Clearinghouse during normal business hours and access to the 
Clearinghouse database will be available on a 24-hour basis by means of 
the Internet.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Acting Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-7568 Filed 3-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-23-M