P.R. Laws tit. 29, § 1336
The duty of enforcing compliance of this chapter is hereby imposed on the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources.
The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources is hereby empowered to adopt any rules or regulations needed to enforce the implementation and purposes of this chapter. All such rules and regulations shall have the force of law after having been approved by the Governor and duly promulgated.
The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources or his representative is hereby authorized to perform all the investigations and inspections he deems are necessary and convenient, on his own initiative or pursuant to a complaint filed by a person, to determine whether an employer, labor union or joint labor-management committee has failed to enforce the provisions of this chapter and have them enforced, and to obtain information that is useful for the administration of any of its provisions.
Any employer, labor union or joint labor-management committee, their officials, employees, agents and representatives thus investigated shall present and make available to the Secretary such records, documents or files under their control related to the matter under investigation.
The Secretary of Labor and Human Resources or any employee of the Department designated by him is hereby authorized in the exercise of such powers and duties to conduct public hearings, summon witnesses, take oaths, accept testimony, and, in compliance with these provisions, may issue subpoenas, require the presence of witnesses and presentation of data, information, or documentary and any other type of evidence, and shall also examine and copy books, records and any documents or papers of said employer or labor union, and request any other information with the purpose of meeting the provisions of this chapter; and may also resort to the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico to plead that any summons or order issued by the Secretary be complied with. Noncompliance of a judicial order allowing such pleading shall constitute contempt of court.
The Department of Labor and Human Resources’ attorneys may act as prosecutors with all the power and authority of the District Attorneys, in all criminal actions that arise under the provisions of this chapter.
History —July 6, 1985, No. 69, p. 236, § 16.