The EEOC investigates complaints and punishes employers who violate these labor laws. If you think you have been the victim of discrimination, you must file your discrimination claim with the EEOC before you can take your employer to court.
Many states have their own agencies that enforce state discrimination labor laws.
You might want to file your claim with your state agency just to make sure your state's laws protect you. After your charge is filed, the EEOC will investigate your claim. The deadline for filing a charge with the EEOC depends on where you are. In some states it is 180 days after your employer's last act of discrimination. In other states it is 300 days from your employer's last act of discrimination.