(a) All functions and duties of the Department of Labor shall be exercised by the Secretary of Labor acting personally or by and through such administrative divisions or such officers or employees as he or she may designate. The Secretary of Labor shall have all power and authority necessary or convenient to carry out the functions and duties of the Department of Labor. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of Labor to administer Chapter 4 of this title and he or she shall have power and authority to adopt and enforce all reasonable rules and orders necessary or suitable to that end, require any reports and take any other action consistent with the provisions of Chapter 4 necessary or suitable to that end.

(b) To the end that strikes, lockouts, boycotts, blacklists, and discriminations may be avoided, the secretary shall have authority and it shall be his or her duty to investigate labor disputes and to promote the peaceful and voluntary adjustment and settlement thereof.

(c) It shall be the duty of the secretary to make available to any board of mediation appointed by the Governor pursuant to Section 25-7-4 all data and information in his or her custody or possession relevant or pertinent to any matter which such board of mediation may have been appointed to consider, and to render to any such board of mediation such assistance as it may request of him or her in the discharge of its official duties.

(d) It shall be the duty of the secretary to administer and enforce the Alabama child labor law relating to minimum age of employment, hours of work, places of employment, and prohibited occupations.

(e) It shall be the duty of the secretary to investigate and attempt equitably to adjust controversies in respect to wage claims or alleged wage claims.