FTC and DOJ Announce Agenda for Dec. 6 and 7 Workshop, Making Competition Work: Promoting Competition in Labor Markets

The Federal Trade Commission has announced an agenda for its upcoming virtual workshop regarding competition in labor markets.

First announced on Oct. 27, 2021, “Making Competition Work: Promoting Competition in Labor Markets,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on December 6, and from 10:20 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on December 7, and will be webcast live on the FTC’s website.

Over the two days, a series of panels, presentations, and remarks will address competition issues affecting labor markets and the welfare of workers, including: labor monopsony; the increased use of restrictive contractual clauses in labor agreements, including non-competes and non-disclosure agreements; information sharing and benchmarking activity among competing employers; the role of other federal agencies in ensuring fair competition in labor markets; and the relationship between antitrust law and collective bargaining efforts in the “gig economy.” Panelists will be invited to discuss potential steps antitrust enforcers can take to better target enforcement resources, improve public guidance, and pursue a “whole of government” approach to ensuring fair competition for workers and consumers by leveraging interagency resources.

In addition to the live webcast, a recording of the workshop will be available on the Antitrust Division’s website and the FTC’s website. In addition to the agenda, a list of speakers, and instructions for accessing the webcast will be available on the event page. The FTC and the DOJ Antitrust Division invite comments from the public on the topics covered by this workshop. Interested parties may submit public comments online through Dec. 20, 2021, at Regulations.gov.