Stronger veteran-employment rules proposed for federal contractors

WASHINGTON—The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has published proposed regulations intended to strengthen the affirmative action requirements of federal contractors and subcontractors in hiring veterans who are protected under the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.

Veterans who are protected under this act include those with disabilities, those who have been recently discharged and those who have served in a campaign for which a campaign badge is authorized, according to the OFCCP, which published the proposed regulations Tuesday.

“Increasing numbers of veterans are returning from duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places around the world only to face substantial obstacles in finding employment,” the OFFCP said in a statement.

The OFFCP said among the proposed changes is a requirement that federal contractors annually evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts to ensure that protected veterans have access to employment opportunities.

The proposed regulations can be found at www.gpo.gov.

Comments, which must be received by June 27, can be sent to www.regulations.gov or mailed to Debra Carr, Director, Division of Policy, Planning and Program Development, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Room C-3325, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Indicate RIN number 1250-AA00.