09/21/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/21/2021 14:25
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor and the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations have entered into a voluntary conciliation agreement to ensure those with limited English proficiency and eligible non-U.S. citizens seeking to file claims for unemployment insurance benefits have better access to services.
The agreement follows an investigation by the federal department's Civil Rights Center into complaints that the state's UI program was failing to make its services fully available to those two groups. During the investigation, the state labor department offered to work with CRC to resolve the complaints amicably.
"This agreement symbolizes how federal and state governments can work together to improve access to government services for limited English proficient communities and others protected by civil rights law, particularly during these difficult times," said Civil Rights Center Director Naomi Barry-Perez. "We appreciate Hawaii's commitment to non-discrimination and its willingness to address these allegations affirmatively and cooperatively."
To provide better access to LEP claimants and eligible non-U.S. citizens, DLIR has, among other actions, agreed to
CRC enforces nondiscrimination laws that apply to the nation's unemployment insurance program, as well as to other recipients of financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor and, in some circumstances, from other federal departments and agencies. For more information about the center, visit the Civil Rights Center's website or call 202-693-6500 (voice) or 800-877-8339 (relay).