Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO summarized information on federal labor issues facing Congress and the new administration.

GAO noted that: (1) the Department of Labor needs to foster competition and assist workers to adapt to the changing environment of the workplace; (2) Labor faces significant challenges because of an inadequate education system, an increasing unskilled workforce, and a large number of temporarily dislocated workers who need job retraining; (3) problems with some of the government's 125 employment programs include inadequate state and federal oversight, inefficient service, a lack of coordination between programs, extreme high cost, and questionable program effectiveness; (4) Labor needs to provide workers with greater access to unemployment and retirement benefits; and (5) solutions to ensure the safety and health of workers are needed.

Status Legend:

Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.

Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.

• Review Pending
• Open
• Closed - implemented
• Closed - not implemented

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter: Congress and the Administration should focus on creating a more coherent, effective, and accountable employment training system.

Status: Closed - Implemented

Comments: Labor has developed a proposed legislative framework for a work-force investment strategy that includes a comprehensive worker adjustment service, a one-stop career center system, and a national labor market information system.