Friday, August 31, 2007

How Does the Contract Compliance Program Work?

A contract conformity programme is designed to do certain that employers doing concern with the local and Federal Soldier government, etc. follow with the laws and/or ordinances which usually necessitate non-discrimination and and affirmatory action in employments. The physical thing related to these processes is the Office of Federal Soldier Contract Conformity Programs also referred to as 'OFCCP' which is portion the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration.

According to the Labor Conformity Program and labour law demands the contract should turn to the followers procedures:

The Payment of Prevailing Wage Rates: This subdivision is all about the ordinances and laws relating to predominant pay rates. Basically contractors and the subcontractors hired to finish the occupation are required to pay workers the reward specified on the labour code. If the undertaking travels over the estimated amounts then it is necessary to mention to more than specific subdivisions under the same code. All information pertaining to reward should be posted for all workers to view.

Apprentices: Under this subdivision contractors and subcontractors are required to follow the labour codification subdivision 1777.5 by hiring registered learners at the clip to carry a public work project.

Penalties: As expected, if the contractor or subcontractor neglects to follow with the laws related to predominant reward there will be penalties. These are also applicable if the political parties mentioned neglect to use registered learners which also includes forfeits and debarments.

Certified Payroll Records: This subdivision is designed to do certain that contractors and subcontractors maintain accurate paysheet records which should demo all the inside information about the employees, learners and workers. Information such as as hours worked, overtime, societal securities, name calling and computer addresses are required. These written documents should be certified and made available for review throughout concern hours and submitted to to the territory every hebdomad as well.

Non-discrimination in Employment: This is actually pretty obvious but required component in this type of contract. Employment favoritism is prohibited under the government, labor, public codes, etc. It is also required for employers to to maintain an 'Equal employment poster' at the occupation land site for appliers to see.

Kickbacks Prohibited: This is also a pretty of import subdivision of the contract, which set ups that employers are not allowed to pull out 'kickback' or to take reward illegally from an employee wage.

Acceptance of fees prohibited: As the statute title implies, contractors and subcontractors are not allowed to have 'fees' in order to register or filling work orders which enables a individual for public work.

As you can see a contract conformity programme affects respective demands which necessitate to be fulfilled in order not to brake any laws or codes. Other equally of import subdivisions often included in such as contracts include, but are not limited to: Workers Compensation Insurance, licensing, prohibition of partial competition, O.S.H.A. regulations, subcontractor listings, etc.

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Thursday, August 30, 2007

Pakistan's Bhutto details possible power-sharing deal with Musharraf

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Former premier Benazir Bhutto detailed for the first time a plan to keep Pakistan's U.S.-allied president in office under a power-sharing deal she said would strengthen the fight against terrorism.

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf is seeking a new five-year presidential term but faces mounting pressure to step down as army chief and restore democracy, eight years after he seized power in a coup.

In remarks to a U.S. network broadcast Tuesday, Bhutto outlined a possible agreement that would reduce Musharraf's power while allowing her to return from exile — and perhaps to government.

"So we're not trying to bail out a military dictator by saying we will come there on your terms. What we are seeking is a compromise that could help bring about a stable, democratic, civilian order," Bhutto said on PBS' "NewsHour With Jim Lehrer."

"What we're negotiating for are certain changes that will empower the Parliament to take on the militants," she said.




Today in Asia - Pacific

A deal with Bhutto offers Musharraf a chance to fend off legal challenges to his continued rule and make good on pledges to combat the Taliban and al-Qaida, viewed with growing skepticism in Washington and other NATO capitals.

However, he has given no clear indication that he will make concessions demanded by Bhutto, including quitting the powerful post of army chief.

Bhutto said Musharraf had to lift a ban on twice-elected prime ministers — such as herself and another exiled former leader, Nawaz Sharif — from seeking a third term.

Corruption charges against her, her husband and other former leaders who have been "persecuted for a very long time" must be dropped, she said.

Musharraf must also explain how election organizers will prevent parliamentary polls to be held by January from being "stolen in the field" and give some of the sweeping powers he took after the 1999 coup back to Parliament.

Asked what she was offering in return, Bhutto sketched a path through the legal labyrinth that other opposition parties insist preclude Musharraf's staying in power.

"There are going to be two presidential elections. The first presidential election is going to take place in September, when General Musharraf is still wearing the (military) uniform," Bhutto said.

While her Pakistan People's Party could not vote for him so long as he remains army chief, she suggested it would endorse him later if he gives up that post at the end of the year, as stipulated by the constitution.

"If the (parliamentary) elections are fair, and we have a level playing field, and he seeks re-election from the next assembly, then certainly the Parliament can consider that, if the uniform is not there," she said.

Bhutto blamed the military-led government for spreading extremism in Pakistan, but avoided direct criticism of Musharraf.

She accused unidentified Cabinet ministers of "collusion" with militants and said Parliament needed the power to act "without being destabilized by elements of the security apparatus who do not wish to see the terrorists and the extremists contained."

Asked about comments by U.S. officials suggesting American forces could strike unilaterally against al-Qaida targets in Pakistan, Bhutto said she opposed "unauthorized military action that violates Pakistan's sovereignty.

"But at the same time, I recognize that, unless the government of Pakistan is able to take control of its own territories, Pakistan will face the danger of outside military strikes."

Bhutto warned Musharraf to take concrete steps toward democratic reform by the end of August to keep a power-sharing deal on track or face a united opposition.

"I hope it doesn't come to a breakdown in the negotiations ... but at the end of the day, we can't afford to be contaminated by his unpopularity without getting the prize for democracy," she said.

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Thursday, August 16, 2007

When Is A Makeover Over?

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" When my mirror giggled, I made an appointment for a makeover at the "New You", a very chic beauty salon.

Did I want a manicure or a massage? How about a new hair style? I wanted the works. In by nine, out by five - just like my dry cleaning.

As soon as I walked through the salon's gold door, I was greeted by a Miss-Universe-type, who handed me a shapeless, chartreuse smock and paper slippers. Neither contributed to the new me I'd envisioned. If my mirror had seen me, it wouldn't have giggled. It would have cracked up.

Hoping a manicure and pedicure would help, I shuffled off to the first makeover maven, Miss Marie. The only words Miss Marie could say in English were tut, tut, tut; and the more she worked on my nails, the more she said them.

Next was Eve, a short, stocky masseuse, who had hands that should have been registered with the FBI. By the time she was through kneading my flesh, I thought I had terminal cellulite.

Then I dragged my bread-dough body to the facial room. Who knew the fixings for a facial were all in my frig? Who knew guacamole was a moisturizer?

Then came Miss Tina, the makeover, makeup artist, who had a radiantly natural look. If she could be half as good with my makeup as she was with hers, my mirror would have to admit I looked like a glass act. Unfortunately, Miss Tina's radiantly natural look was natural. Although a framed certificate on the wall said she was a licensed cosmetician, she wasn't a miracle worker. After thirty minutes my left jawbone might have resembled Catherine Zeta-Jones', but nothing else did.

Last, but not least, was a hairstyling by the New You Guru. Mr. Philippe's tattoos didn't bother me. Okay, the snake around his wrist was a little creepy. What did bother me were the pictures on the walls - women with multi-colored hair, women with spiked hair - women with hair cut in geometric patterns. When Mr. Philippe asked, "What are we doing today?" I nervously replied, "Cutting my hair long".

I didn't look much different after my New You makeover, but I felt different. I felt two hundred thirty dollars poorer. The next time my mirror giggles, I might risk having seven years of bad luck.

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