How did the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) get involved in international technical cooperation projects?
USDOL began its international efforts in 1950 when the Department trained German unionists to assist with European reconstruction. Since then, USDOL has regularly worked with donor organizations such as the World Bank and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as well as host country governments to provide labor-related technical assistance. Past assistance provided by USDOL include efforts to strengthen the capacity of the South Africa Department of Labor to strengthen implementation of its post-apartheid Employment Equity Act, worker adjustment projects in Central and Eastern Europe, and improving labor market information systems in Egypt. Congress appropriated funds for international projects directly to USDOL for the first time in Fiscal Year (FY) 2000. The goal was to support the promotion of core labor standards and to improve the welfare of workers through the strengthening of social safety net programs. These programs were funded at a total level of $30 million ($20
