Archive Site for State Department information prior to January 20, 2001. This site is not updated.RETURN to the current State Department web site.


The Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB) formulates and carries out U.S. foreign economic policy, integrating U.S. economic interests with our foreign policy goals so that U.S. firms and investors can compete on an equal basis with their counterparts overseas. EB implements American economic policy in cooperation with U.S. companies, U.S. Government agencies, and other organizations.

Under the direction of Assistant Secretary of State Earl Anthony Wayne , the bureau negotiates agreements with foreign governments and advances U.S. positions in such international organizations as the International Monetary Fund or World Trade Organization. EB officers:

* Work with the World Trade Organization to establish fair rules of international trade
* Lead U.S. negotiations on bilateral civil aviation treaties
* Negotiate bilateral and regional investment treaties in partnership with USTR
* Combat bribery in international commerce; and
* Coordinate issues related to economic sanctions.

The EB Bureau's organizational structure consists of five units, each headed by a   Deputy Assistant Secretary:

* Energy, Sanctions and Commodities (EB/ESC);
* International Communications and Information Policy (EB/CIP);
* International Finance and Development (EB/IFD);
* Trade Policy and Program (EB/TPP);
* Transportation Affairs (EB/TRA).

Civil and Foreign Service officers and support staff bring a wide variety of educational and private sector backgrounds to offices in Washington, DC. They develop U.S. policy, administer programs, negotiate, and represent the Department before Congress, U.S. business and industry, and international organizations. Overseas, embassy economic officers lay the groundwork for negotiations, report on economic trends and the commercial climate, and maintain constant contact with foreign governments to represent U.S. interests.


[http://liberty.direct.at]�[[email protected]]


national Sunday Laws observance Sabbath Saturday religious freedom liberty legislation law day rest image mark of the beast conscience world blue laws sunday closing laws separation church state SDA Days of Rest Act weekly day of rest violates or fails Legislation on Sunday as a day of rest for employees in the retail sector shops National legislation prohibiting the employment of workers in retail shops on Sundays prohibition is punishable by imprisonment and a fine restrict freedom of choice in Sunday shopping intolerance persecution Freedom of religious faith legislative and judicial authorities religious observance be enforced by civil authority employment of secular power on the part of the church Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof enforcing a religious duty by secular power liberty of conscience threatened enforcement of Sunday observance The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power
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THE IMPORTANCE OF VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT OF THE LABOR LAWS

Practically all countries have labor laws addressing such core issues as


* minimum wages and overtime;
* maximum working hours and days off;
* benefits and social security;
* health and safety; and
* freedom of association.



The vigorous enforcement of these laws is the best guarantee that workers will be treated legally and fairly.  However, only governments can enforce these laws .   While private companies such as retailers can attempt to ensure that their suppliers comply with labor standards, they cannot substitute themselves for enforcement activity by governments.

Some people have argued that private companies can enforce the labor laws.  They overlook a number of key points, though:


* Private companies do not have the resources or expertise that governments posses in enforcing laws.
* Private companies do not have subpoena and investigatory powers.
* Private companies can not impose civil and criminal penalties on violators of labor standards.



In the United States, responsibility for enforcing the labor laws lies with the U.S. Department of Labor , as well as with state and local labor departments.  As well as overall labor law enforcement , the department has started a special initiative to eliminate sweatshops in the garment industry , an initiative which American retailers have supported fully.  Retailers work closely with the Department of Labor by sharing information with it, and by encouraging their suppliers to cooperate with the department in resolving possible violations.  Cooperation between private companies and the Department of Labor is an essential component of the department's enforcement efforts.  Similarly, retailers cooperate with the labor authorities of other countries in which their suppliers are located to assist those authorities in enforcing local labor laws.  International organizations, especially the International Labour Organization , are active in the field, and there have been calls for the World Trade Organization to address the issue of international labor standards as well.

Of course, some countries have more experience and resources available for the enforcement of labor laws than others.  America's retailers support the efforts of the U.S. Department of Labor to provide technical assistance to countries such as Haiti and Cambodia in the development, administration, and enforcement of their labor laws.   In addition, some retailers are considering ways to work with governments directly to improve their enforcement capabilities. 


[http://liberty.direct.at]�[[email protected]]


national Sunday Laws observance Sabbath Saturday religious freedom liberty legislation law day rest image mark of the beast conscience world blue laws sunday closing laws separation church state SDA Days of Rest Act weekly day of rest violates or fails Legislation on Sunday as a day of rest for employees in the retail sector shops National legislation prohibiting the employment of workers in retail shops on Sundays prohibition is punishable by imprisonment and a fine restrict freedom of choice in Sunday shopping intolerance persecution Freedom of religious faith legislative and judicial authorities religious observance be enforced by civil authority employment of secular power on the part of the church Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof enforcing a religious duty by secular power liberty of conscience threatened enforcement of Sunday observance The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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