The information collected and compiled
in the MLS program is used to satisfy the legislatively required
reporting mandated by Clause (iii) of Section 309 (2) (15) (a) (1)
(A) of the Workforce Investment Act which states that the Secretary
of Labor shall oversee the development, maintenance, and continuous
improvements of the incidence of, industrial and geographical
location of, and number of workers displaced by, permanent layoffs
and plant closings. In addition to the BLS uses of MLS data, such
data are used by Congress, the Executive Branch, the business,
labor, and academic communities, SWAs, and the U.S. Department of
Labor (DOL) for both macro- and microeconomic analysis, including
specific labor market studies geared towards manpower assistance
and development. Moreover, State agencies use the MLS data in
various ways, including: the identification of geographic areas in
need of special manpower services; the identification of ailing or
troubled industries; the identification of specific employers
needing assistance; the targeting of outreach activities for the
unemployed; and the determination of those workers in need of
temporary health care services. Respondents consist of entirely
private, for-profit and not-for-profit establishments.
The difference between the
current OMB inventory and the requested annual number of responses
results from an increase of employer respondents. The larger number
of responses being requested is due to substantially higher layoff
activity during the 2008-2010 period. The entire 18-month recession
period, as designated by the National Bureau of Economic Research's
Business Cycle Dating Committee, was contained within this 3-year
respondent average used to estimate annual burden.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.