DOL Watchdog ‘Surprised’ by Workplace Virus-Safety Citations

The Labor Department’s inspector general said his office is investigating more than 300 cases of suspected unemployment insurance fraud and will soon review enforcement of occupational safety standards during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Inspector General Scott Dahl briefed House lawmakers Monday on his office’s ongoing efforts to review the DOL’s actions during the pandemic. He faced repeated questions from Democratic members of a subcommittee about allegations of rampant unemployment claims fraud and concerns from unions and worker advocates that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration hasn’t done enough to protect workers from the coronavirus.

Dahl said he was “very surprised” to ...