[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 166 (Monday, August 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 51828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21044]



[[Page 51828]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Dominican Republic--Central America--United States Free Trade 
Agreement; Notice of Extension of the Period of Review for Submission 
2011-03 (Dominican Republic)

AGENCY: Bureau of International Labor Affairs, U.S. Department of 
Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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    The Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) in the Bureau of 
International Labor Affairs (ILAB) of the U.S. Department of Labor has 
determined that an extension of time is required for its review of 
Submission 2011-03 concerning the Dominican Republic (the 
Submission) filed under Chapter Sixteen (the Labor Chapter) of the 
Dominican Republic--Central America--United States Free Trade Agreement 
(CAFTA-DR).
    On December 22, 2011, OTLA received the Submission from Father 
Christopher Hartley. It alleges action or inaction by the Government of 
the Dominican Republic that, if substantiated, could be inconsistent 
with the Dominican Republic's commitments under the Labor Chapter.
    OTLA accepted the Submission for review on February 22, 2012 (77 FR 
15397 (2012)), in accordance with its published Procedural Guidelines 
(71 FR 76694 (2006)). Acceptance triggers a 180-day fact-finding and 
review period that results in the issuance of a public report of any 
findings and recommendations. The objective of fact-finding and review 
is to gather information so that OTLA can better understand the case 
and publicly report on the U.S. Government's views regarding whether 
the Government of the Dominican Republic's action or inaction was 
consistent with the obligations set forth in the Labor Chapter. The 
public report will include a summary of the review process, as well as 
any findings and recommendations.
    As part of its ongoing review, OTLA sent a delegation to the 
Dominican Republic from April 22-30, 2012, to gather information on 
issues raised by the Submission. The OTLA delegation met with 
representatives from the Government of the Dominican Republic, 
employers, workers, and other groups with information relevant to the 
Submission. ILAB conducted a follow-up visit to the Dominican Republic 
from July 22-25, 2012, during which its delegation met again with the 
above representatives and with additional stakeholders in order to 
collect additional information.
    According to the Procedural Guidelines, if OTLA determines 
circumstances require an extension of time, it can delay the report's 
publication (Procedural Guidelines, Sec. H.7). OTLA has determined that 
the circumstances require an extension of time, pursuant to section H.7 
of the Procedural Guidelines. The extension of time is necessary to 
permit adequate consideration of the following information that OTLA 
recently received:
     Public comments in response to the Federal Register Notice 
(77 FR 36578 (2012)) that OTLA issued on June 19, 2012, soliciting 
information relevant to the Submission by July 2, 2012; and
     Information the ILAB delegation collected during its July 
22-25, 2012 visit to the Dominican Republic.

    OTLA will continue to give this matter the highest priority in 
order to complete the review as expeditiously as possible.

DATES: Effective Date: August 20, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Schoepfle, Director, OTLA, 
U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S-5303, 
Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-4900 (this is not a toll-
free number).

    Signed at Washington, DC on August 20, 2012.
Carol Pier,
Acting Deputy Undersecretary, International Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-21044 Filed 8-24-12; 8:45 am]
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