---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 80507"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "80507"
heading: "Employee protection"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/80507"
units:
  - "Subtitle VIII — Miscellaneous"
  - "Chapter 805 — Safe Containers for International Cargo"
---

# §80507. Employee protection

- (a) **Prohibition.—** A person may not discharge or discriminate against an employee because the employee has reported the existence of an unsafe [container](/usc/46/80501.md?p=1) or a violation of this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter.
- (b) **Complaints.—** An employee alleging to have been discharged or discriminated against in violation of [subsection (a)](#a) may file a complaint with the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of Labor. The complaint must be filed within 60 days after the violation.
- (c) **Enforcement.—** The [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of Labor may investigate the complaint. If the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of Labor finds there has been a violation, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of Labor may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States. The court has jurisdiction to restrain violations of [subsection (a)](#a) and order appropriate relief, including reinstatement of the employee to the employee’s former position with back pay.
- (d) **Notice to Complainant.—** Within 30 days after receiving a complaint under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) of Labor shall notify the complainant of the intended action on the complaint.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 11, Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1697.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 80507 | 46 App.:1506. | Pub. L. 95–208, § 7, Dec. 13, 1977, 91 Stat. 1479. |

In subsection (a), the words “in any manner” and “to the Secretary or his agents” are omitted as unnecessary. The words “or a regulation prescribed under this chapter” are added for consistency.