The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) recently announced that it will provide funding to support progress on labor standards in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to a press release.

On Dec. 14, USDOL announced a $3 million award to a cooperative agreement to the International Labour Organization to improve compliance with international labor standards in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“The International Labour Organization, the United Nations’ only tripartite agency, brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 member states to set labor standards, develop policies and devise programs promoting decent work for all women and men.”

Funding will be administered by the department’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs and primarily support efforts in the capital city of Kinshasa, bolstering the ability of governments, employers and workers to improve work conditions related to wages and hours and workplace safety.

The funding comes as part of the department’s efforts to improve global labor standards.

Project goals include: Enhancing the capacity of the General Labour Inspectorate to identify and address labor violations, educating workers and worker associations on how to prevent or stop non-compliance in the workplace, increasing worker access to effective remedies to address non-compliance, encouraging dialogue among government, workers and employers to improve compliance.