[Federal Register: May 13, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 92)]
[Notices]               
[Page 32061-32062]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13my02-107]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

 
Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour 
Division (WHD) is soliciting comments concerning the following proposed 
collection: Housing Terms and Conditions. A copy of the proposed 
information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office 
listed below in the addressee section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before July 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Patricia A. Forkel, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0339, fax (202) 693-1451, EMail pforkel@fenix2.dol-esa.gov. 
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or 
EMail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers the Migrant and 
Seasonal Agricultural Protection Act (MSPA). Section 201(c) of MSPA, 29 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq., requires that any farm labor contractor, 
agricultural employer or agricultural association that provides housing 
to any migrant agricultural worker, post in a conspicuous place or 
present to such worker a statement of

[[Page 32062]]

the terms and conditions, if any, of occupancy of such housing. In 
addition, section 201(g) requires that such information be provided in 
English, or as necessary and reasonable, in a language common to the 
workers and that the Department of Labor make forms available to 
provide such information. Section 500.75(f) and (g) of Regulations, 29 
CFR Part 500, of MSPA, sets forth the terms of occupancy of housing 
which are to be posted or given in a written statement to the worker. 
Section 500.1(i)(2) provides for optional Form WH-521, which may be 
used to satisfy sections 201(c) and 201(g) of MSPA. Optional Form WH-
521 is printed in English/Spanish. Form WH-521 in other languages is 
not available at this time. The information collection is currently 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for use through 
September 2002.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor 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 the 
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.

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks an extension of approval of optional 
Form WH-521, which may be used to satisfy sections 201(c) and 201(g) of 
MSPA. Form WH-521 is an optional form which a farm labor contractor, 
agricultural employer, and agricultural association can post or present 
to a migrant agricultural worker listing the terms and conditions for 
occupancy of housing. While use of the form is optional, disclosure of 
the information is required by MSPA. The optional form completed by the 
employer provides an easy method for the employer to satisfy the 
disclosure requirements. Completion of the form and disclosure also 
provides the migrant agricultural workers with information enabling 
them to understand the conditions under which they may occupy housing 
provided by farm labor contractors, agricultural employers or 
agricultural associations. There are no changes to this form since the 
last OMB approval.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Housing Terms and Conditions.
    OMB Number: 1215-0146.
    Agency Numbers: Not Applicable.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit; individuals or 
households; Farms.
    Total Respondents/Responses: 1,300.
    Total Hours: 650.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operation/maintenance): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: May 7, 2002.
Margaret J. Sherrill,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-11879 Filed 5-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-27-P