Insiders are expressing alarm over the “devastating” exit of thousands from the U.S. Department of Labor, suggesting it poses serious risks to “all core aspects of working life.” Many fear that the current administration is poised to further diminish the agency’s efforts.
Federal agencies have reportedly seen a reduction of around 20% in their workforce, primarily because nearly 2,700 employees either opted for early retirement, resigned, or delayed plans to leave. This shift has left many remaining employees concerned about ongoing job cuts, especially with prospects of significant layoffs set to escalate after February, as the White House aims to implement a “reorganization” plan.
Interestingly, before any official cuts were announced, the department had already shrunk by 20%, prompting many to seek other opportunities. Employees of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), known for its crucial data collection, preferred to remain nameless due to fears of repercussions.
Officials from the Labor Department have refrained from providing specific numbers regarding resignations or those currently on leave and offered no additional insights into how these changes might affect their operations.
Last month, an email from Jihun Han, Chief of Staff for Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer, raised eyebrows by warning staff that they could face legal repercussions for speaking to the media about agency matters.
“It’s hard to envision how all core aspects of working life can survive, given that the department has been underfunded for quite a while. I think it’s really troubling,” one employee shared.
They also noted that these cuts will likely impact workers throughout the U.S. economy, especially for state and local governments that depend on the enforcement of wage and safety regulations backed by the Department of Labor.
One attorney at the Labor Bureau, who also chose to remain anonymous, mentioned that staff turnover has forced lawyers into more administrative tasks, thus diverting attention from their primary responsibilities. They highlighted that maintenance services within the department have also dwindled.
Interestingly, while many critical roles—like wage investigators and safety inspectors—were supposedly exempt from cuts, those in the field still face increased workloads. The irony, as the attorney pointed out, is that one department’s cutbacks have invariably strained the support for those doing the crucial groundwork.
In March, significant international labor subsidies totaling $577 million were rescinded by the Labor Bureau, resulting in the cancellation of around $237 million that had been earmarked for long-standing projects and research.
According to an ILAB employee, roughly half their staff experienced buyout offers following the announcement of subsidy cuts. Besides grant programs, the agency also conducts a range of research aimed at upholding basic labor rights in alignment with free trade agreements, which includes a mandated report on forced child labor abroad.
Protesters are planning to gather outside Labor Headquarters on April 14th to voice their opposition to the ongoing cuts.
A former employee underscored the broader implications of these changes, stating, “This environment is detrimental not just for foreign workers but for American workers too, as it enables unnaturally competitive practices against U.S. firms.” They added that it also risks enabling products associated with child labor to flood the market.
Overall, the cuts to subsidies and contracts at the Department of Labor have led to the establishment of what’s termed the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), which, according to reports, is projected to save $455 million, affecting various areas including closed office locations and other contracts.
Despite the relatively minor portion of federal funds allocated to the Labor Bureau, DOGE reportedly ranks fourth among federal departments in terms of claimed savings. Over the years, funding for the Department of Labor has diminished considerably; what once was $119 billion in 1980 has shrunk to about $54.3 billion last year when adjusted for inflation.
Workers still within the department express that the ongoing attrition and reductions are seriously undermining operations, with many feeling overwhelmed by their increased workload.
“It’s become a hostile environment,” remarked an employee from the Civil Rights Division, particularly in light of recent executive orders which seem to undermine diversity and inclusion initiatives.
They recounted that key supervisors and team members left, leaving the remaining staff burdened with additional responsibilities. “Overall, civil rights enforcement seems to be lagging,” they said.
Employees from the Bureau of Women had similar sentiments, mentioning the adverse effects of funding cuts and a lack of clear leadership during this tumultuous period, resulting in a significant drop in the department’s effectiveness.
“It really feels like this administration disregards the 70 million working women in the U.S.,” one former worker lamented. “Without the Women’s Bureau’s work, we risk losing critical data and initiatives that empower women in the workforce.”
Project 2025, a conservative plan laid out before Trump’s reelection bid, calls for sweeping transformations in the Labor Department, such as changes to union licensing, state exemptions from federal labor laws, and substantial budget cuts. The Heritage Foundation has even suggested that the department should be eliminated altogether.
Reports indicate that expected reductions in the labor department’s allocations, detailed by Labor Secretary Julie Su, are part of a broader strategy perceived as waging a war on workers, undermining union protections, and attacking rights that support federal employees and those who depend on their services.
