OSHA, Wage and Hour Division, MSHA Reductions; Women's Bureau Eliminated
(Worker Protection)
Department of LaborWorkers in hazardous industries; wage theft victims; mine workers; the Women's Bureau (est. 1920)
What This Program Does
These programs protect American workers through workplace safety enforcement (OSHA), wage law enforcement (Wage and Hour Division), mine safety oversight (MSHA), and the Women's Bureau, which has advocated for women's economic well-being since 1920. They serve workers in hazardous industries, victims of wage theft, mine workers, and working women across the country. The Susan Harwood training grants fund safety education for workers in high-risk jobs.
Who Would Be Affected
The proposed $0.2 billion cut (roughly 20%) would affect millions of workers who rely on federal enforcement of workplace safety and wage protections. Mine workers, construction workers, and employees in other dangerous industries would see reduced oversight. The elimination of the Women's Bureau, a 105-year-old agency, would remove a dedicated federal advocate for women in the workforce, and the end of Susan Harwood grants would cut off free safety training for vulnerable workers in high-hazard industries.
What This Cut Would Mean
Fewer OSHA and MSHA inspectors would likely mean less frequent workplace safety inspections, potentially increasing the risk of injuries and fatalities in hazardous industries. Reduced Wage and Hour Division capacity could slow investigations into wage theft, which already costs workers billions annually according to the Economic Policy Institute. The administration frames these reductions as part of streamlining government, but labor policy analysts warn that weakened enforcement historically correlates with increased workplace injuries and employer violations. Workers would need to rely more heavily on state-level agencies, though coverage and capacity vary significantly by state.
Administration's Stated Rationale
“Worker protection agencies reduced; Susan Harwood safety training grants and Women's Bureau (est. 1920) eliminated.”