The **United States Department of Labor (DOL)** is a federal executive department responsible for administering and enforcing more than 180 labor laws and regulations that protect the rights and well-being of about 125 million workers and oversee approximately 10 million employers nationwide. Its mission focuses on fostering the welfare of wage earners, job seekers, and retirees by improving working conditions, advancing employment opportunities, and ensuring work-related benefits and rights. The department enforces standards in occupational safety and health, wage and hour laws, unemployment benefits, and reemployment services[1][7]. Established in 1913, the DOL has evolved into a critical institution for supporting the American workforce through regulation, enforcement, and data collection. Its headquarters is the Frances Perkins Building, named after the first female U.S. Cabinet member and former Secretary of Labor, who served from 1933 to 1945[1]. The current Secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, was sworn in on March 11, 2025[1]. Key achievements include the administration of foundational labor protections like the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act, which guarantee minimum wage, overtime pay, and workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively. The department also provides vital labor market data, such as employment statistics and job openings, helping businesses and policymakers adapt to economic trends[1][4][5]. In recent years, the DOL has faced political proposals like Project 2025, which suggests significant rollbacks of labor protections, including easing restrictions on hazardous work for teenagers and limiting union organizing rights. Such proposals indicate ongoing debates about the department’s role in balancing worker protections with business flexibility[2]. As of 2025, the DOL remains a cornerstone agency influencing labor policy, workplace safety, and economic data critical to business and technology sectors navigating workforce dynamics in a rapidly changing economy[1][4][5].