U.S. National Administrative Office
Bureau of International Labor Affairs
U.S. Department of Labor
August 3, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Summary of Submission
2.1 Case Summary
2.2 Issues
2.2.1 Freedom of Association
2.2.2 Minimum Employment Standards
2.2.3 Prevention of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
2.2.4 Minimum Employment Standards
2.3 Action Requested
3. U.S. NAO Review
3.1 Information from Submitters
3.2 Information from Mexican NAO
3.3 Information from Visit to Mexico
3.4 Information from Public Hearing
4. Relevant Mexican Government Agencies Responsible for Enforcing Labor Law
5. Labor Law and the Maquiladora Industry in Mexico
6. Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize and the Right to Bargain Collectively
6.1 NAALC Obligations
6.2 Mexican Law
6.2.1 Mexican Constitution
6.2.2 Federal Labor Law
6.2.3 International Conventions/Treaties Ratified by Mexico
6.3 Analysis
6.3.1 Legal Registration Process
6.3.2 Mexican Government Action
7. Minimum Employment Standards
7.1 NAALC Obligations
7.2 Mexican Law
7.2.1 Mexican Constitution
7.2.2 Federal Labor Law
7.2.3 International Conventions/Treaties Ratified by Mexico
7.3 Analysis
7.3.1 Wages and Overtime
7.3.1.1 Mexican Government Action
7.3.2 Dismissal of Employees
7.3.3 Collective Suspension of Labor Relations/Plant Closings
7.3.4 Severance Compensation
8. Prevention of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
8.1 NAALC Obligations
8.2 Mexican Law
8.2.1 Mexican Constitution
8.2.2 Federal Labor Law
8.2.3 International Conventions/Treaties Ratified by Mexico
8.3 Analysis
8.3.1 Prevention of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
9. Findings
10. Recommendation
11. Endnotes
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
- Submission No. 2003-01 was filed pursuant to the North American Agreement on Labor
Cooperation (NAALC) on September 30, 2003, by the U.S.-based United Students Against Sweatshops
(USAS) and the Mexico-based Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT) and was later joined by the
Canada-based Maquiladora Solidarity Network (MSN).
- The submission was accepted for review on February 5, 2004, as it raised issues related
to labor law matters in Mexico and because a review would further the objectives of the
NAALC. In accordance with its procedural guidelines, the U.S. NAO completed its review of the
case, which included a public hearing on April 1, 2004 and consultations in Mexico with Mexican
Government officials, workers, and employers.
SUMMARY OF THE SUBMISSION
- The Submission raises issues concerning freedom of association and protection of the
right to organize, the right to bargain collectively, occupational safety and health, and
minimum employment standards (e.g., minimum wage and overtime pay). The Submission also raises
issues regarding access for workers to fair, equitable and transparent labor tribunal
proceedings, and alleges that the allegations represent an overall and persistent pattern of
non-enforcement of labor laws. All of the issues raised concern alleged events taking place at
the Matamoros Garment S.A. de C.V. and Tarrant México S.R. de C.V. garment manufacturing
factories in the state of Puebla, Mexico.
- According to the submission, the alleged worker rights violations were brought to the
attention of management and government officials beginning in 2000 and 2003 respectively. Over
the course of the factories’ operation, issues raised included freedom of association (union
registration denials and associated harassment), occupational safety and health violations
(poor cafeteria conditions, ventilation and bathroom conditions, and lack of personal protection
equipment), and minimum employment standards (minimum wage violations and non-payment of back
wages).
- In response, Matamoros Garment and Tarrant workers began efforts to form unions, but
learned in both cases that they already had union representation – although allegedly without
their knowledge (alleged “protection contracts”). Believing the existing unions were not
adequately representing their rights, the workers began efforts to form separate or independent
unions – filing union registration petitions before the Local Conciliation and Arbitration
Board of Puebla. In both the Matamoros Garment and Tarrant cases, union registration petitions
were denied, the reasons for which the submitters allege were based on justifications outside
Mexican labor law.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
- The U.S. NAO review of the written documentation and oral testimony, including the decisions of the Local Conciliation and Arbitration Board in Puebla (Junta Local de Conciliación y Arbitraje – hereinafter “JLCA de Puebla”), supports the submitters’ contention that the rejections of their union registration petitions were based on technical grounds and that the JLCA de Puebla did not inform the workers about any technical deficiencies nor provide them with an opportunity to correct the errors.
- Matamoros Garment workers failed to file an appeal of the JLCA de Puebla decisions and workers at Tarrant withdrew their appeal. The submitters assert that Matamoros Garment workers received the JLCA de Puebla decision late and that it is difficult for workers to find attorneys to assist them. In the case of Tarrant, the submitters assert that workers who have no unemployment insurance and who face potential blacklisting have little choice other than to take severance rather than pursue what could be lengthy appeals. They also assert that workers are harassed and intimidated into taking severance and that workers are often required to sign severance agreements when they are hired, which are often used against them later.
- While the U.S. NAO acknowledges that these practices are known to occur in Mexico, had the workers pursued their rights to appeal, the courts may well have found in their favor. In fact, the U.S. NAO takes note that reviews of recent Mexican court decisions in this area appear to support efforts on the part of the courts to direct JLCAs to comply with the law. Nonetheless, the U.S. NAO cannot ignore the similarities in this case and previous submissions before it regarding denial of union registration on what seem to be hyper-technical grounds. The same similarities also appear in recent and ongoing cases in Mexico as noted by the submitters.
- As the ILO has expressed, administrative formalities should not be used as the equivalent of prior authorization to establish a union and should not be used to delay or prevent union formation. While the workers in this case did not pursue the available appeal processes, what is supposed to be a mere administrative formality should not be implemented in a way that effectively obstructs the basic worker right of freedom of association.
- The continuing difficulty for independent unions to gain registration rights, especially within the maquiladora sector, is supported by credible testimony of non-governmental organizations and legal experts within Mexico. The Government of Mexico itself has on several occasions recognized shortcomings in the union registration process, but, if it has taken action to address the matter, the results are not immediately evident. Transparency in the union representation process, internal union democracy, responsiveness to union membership, and workers’ freedom to choose the union to represent them (or to choose not to be represented) are important issues raised in this submission which merit further consultations.
- Regarding the allegations of minimum employment standards violations, the evidence available to the U.S. NAO is conflicting. It appears that some workers filed complaints with the State Attorney General's Office of Puebla alleging failure to pay proper wages and that these complaints are still pending after more than a year. In addition, reinstallation demands due to alleged illegal firings and documents requesting back wages owed also were submitted to government officials on behalf of Tarrant workers.
- Concerning alleged occupational injuries and illnesses, the submitters presented no evidence that they filed formal complaints with governmental authorities. In view of this failure, the U.S. NAO cannot find that the Government of Mexico failed to enforce labor laws encompassing requirements to respond to worker complaints.
- Nonetheless, there is credible evidence that workers made authorities aware of safety and health concerns in ways other than formal complaints. Mexican authorities also may have been aware of relevant safety and health conditions through periodic inspections performed under the law. The U.S. NAO is unable to draw definitive conclusions on these matters because it is still awaiting additional relevant information from the Government of Mexico.
- In summary, the myriad issues raised by this submission indicate a general lack of knowledge and transparency about legal requirements, processes for filing complaints, government inspection processes and reporting requirements, and available governmental assistance. Further consultations between the Governments of the United States and Mexico on how best to increase outreach efforts to educate workers, employers, and government officials, and to increase transparency on legal requirements, processes followed, and results of enforcements efforts would be beneficial for the public in Puebla, as well as elsewhere within Mexico.
RECOMMENDATION
- Pursuant to Article 22 of the NAALC, the U.S. NAO recommends ministerial consultations
with the Government of Mexico on the issues of freedom of association, minimum employment
standards and occupational safety and health.
REPORT OF REVIEW OF U.S. NAO SUBMISSION NO. 2003-01
1. Introduction
The U.S. National Administrative Office (U.S. NAO) was established
pursuant to the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC), the supplemental
labor agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The NAALC provides
for the review of submissions concerning labor law matters arising in Canada or Mexico by
the U.S. NAO. Article 16(3) of the NAALC states:
[e]ach NAO shall provide for the submission and receipt, and periodically publish a list,
of public communications on labor law matters arising in the territory of another
Party. Each NAO shall review such matters, as appropriate, in accordance with its domestic
procedures.
Labor law is defined in Article 49 of the NAALC as follows:
laws and regulations, or provisions thereof, that are directly related to (a) freedom of
association and protection of the right to organize; (b) the right to bargain collectively;
(c) the right to strike; (d) prohibition of forced labor; (e) labor protections for children
and young persons; (f) minimum employment standards, such as minimum wages and overtime
pay, covering wage earners, including those not covered by collective agreements;
(g) elimination of employment discrimination on the basis of grounds such as race,
religion, age, sex, or other grounds as determined by each Party’s domestic laws;
(h) equal pay for men and women; (i) prevention of occupational injuries and illnesses;
(j) compensation in cases of occupational injuries and illnesses; and (k) protection of
migrant workers.
Procedural guidelines governing the receipt, acceptance for review, and
conduct of review of submissions filed with the U.S. NAO were issued pursuant to Article
16(3) of the NAALC. The U.S. NAO’s procedural guidelines were published and became
effective on April 7, 1994 in a Revised Notice of Establishment of the U.S. National
Administrative Office and Procedural Guidelines.1 Pursuant to these guidelines, once
a determination is made to accept a submission for review, the U.S. NAO shall conduct
further examination of the submission as may be appropriate to assist the U.S. NAO to
better understand and publicly report on the issues raised therein. The Secretary of
the U.S. NAO shall issue a public report that includes a summary of the review proceedings,
findings, and recommendations. The review must be completed and the public report issued
within 120 days of acceptance of a submission for review, unless circumstances require
an extension of time up to 60 additional days.
Submission No. 2003-01 was filed with the U.S. NAO on September 30, 2003,
by the U.S.-based United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) and the Mexico-based Centro de
Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT), and was later joined by the Canada-based Maquiladora Solidarity
Network (MSN). The submission centers on events at two garment manufacturing plants in the
state of Puebla, Mexico, where alleged violations of worker rights took place regarding
freedom of association, minimum employment standards, and occupational safety and
health. The submission was accepted for review on February 5, 2004, and a notice of
the acceptance of review was published in the Federal Register on February 11,
2004.2
The submitters argue that the alleged events are indicative of a broader
pattern of non-enforcement of labor laws in Mexico, specifically regarding freedom of
association and protection of the right to organize, the right to bargain collectively,
occupational safety and health, and minimum employment standards (e.g., minimum wage and
overtime pay). The Submission also raises issues regarding access for workers to fair,
equitable, and transparent labor tribunal proceedings, and argues that the allegations
represent an overall and persistent pattern of non-enforcement of labor laws in Mexico.
2. Summary of Submission
2.1 Case Summary
Matamoros Garment S.A. de C.V. (hereinafter “Matamoros Garment”) is a garment
manufacturing factory located in Izúcar de Matamoros in the state of Puebla.3 Matamoros Garment
employed approximately 700 to 800 workers. Tarrant México S.R. de C.V. (hereinafter “Tarrant”)
is a garment-manufacturing factory located in Ajalpán, Tehuacán, in the state of Puebla. The
Tarrant plant in Ajalpán employed approximately 1000 to 1200 workers. Both Matamoros Garment
and Tarrant produced garments for export to the U.S. market.
According to the submission, numerous worker rights violations occurred at
Matamoros Garment and Tarrant, which workers brought to the attention of management and
government officials beginning in 2000 and 2003 respectively. Over the course of the
factories’ operation, issues raised included freedom of association (union registration
denials and associated harassment), occupational safety and health violations (poor cafeteria
conditions, a lack of personal protection equipment, improper ventilation, and occupational
injuries and illnesses), and minimum employment standards (minimum wage violations, back wages
owed, forced overtime, improper dismissals, and compensation following plant closures). In
response, Matamoros Garment and Tarrant workers began efforts to form unions, but learned in
both cases that they already had union representation – although allegedly without their
knowledge (i.e., “protection contracts”). Believing the existing unions were not adequately
representing their rights, the workers began efforts to form separate or independent
unions – filing union registration petitions before the Local Conciliation and Arbitration
Board of Puebla (Junta Local de Conciliación y Arbitraje de Puebla - hereinafter JLCA de
Puebla). In response to these actions, workers allegedly suffered threats and harassment from
their employers and harassment and surveillance by “official union” representatives.
As for the union registration process, in both the Matamoros Garment and
Tarrant cases union registration petitions were denied based on what the submitters allege were
justifications outside Mexican labor law. The submitters also allege that the JLCA de Puebla
failed to notify workers of errors in their petitions for legal recognition, and, in the case
of Matamoros Garment, mailed the decision notice to the wrong address - which did not give
workers enough time to file an appeal. The submitters further allege that workers were
illegally fired by Tarrant management for union organizing efforts, intimidated by Tarrant
management to accept severance payments, and blacklisted throughout Puebla making it difficult
for former employees to find new jobs, and that Mexican government authorities failed to
enforce the laws against these practices.
In arguing that the alleged non-enforcement of labor laws is a widespread
and recurring problem, the submitters note the failure of the Government of Mexico and the
JLCA de Puebla to uphold similar principle labor rights in the recent case at the MexMode
factory (formerly KukDong) in the state of Puebla, where issues also included alleged
violations of workers rights – most notably freedom of association.
2.2 Issues
Among the provisions of the NAALC relevant to this submission, Article 1(b)
calls for the Parties to promote, to the extent possible, the labor principles set out in
Annex 1 of the NAALC, which include 1) freedom of association and protection of the right
to organize, 2) the right to bargain collectively, 3) the right to strike, 4) prohibition
of forced labor, 5) labor protections for children and young persons, 6) minimum employment
standards, 7) elimination of employment discrimination, 8) equal pay for women and men,
9) prevention of occupational injuries and illnesses, 10) compensation in cases of
occupational injuries and illnesses, and 11) protection of migrant workers.4
NAALC Article 2 obliges each party to “ensure that its labor laws and
regulations provide for high labor standards, consistent with high quality and productivity
workplaces, and shall continue to strive to improve those standards in that light.”5
NAALC Article 3 obligates each party to “promote compliance with and
effectively enforce its labor law through appropriate government action”, and “ensure that
its competent authorities give due consideration in accordance with its law to any request by
an employer, employee or their representatives, or other interested person, for an
investigation of an alleged violation of the Party’s labor law.”6
Additionally, the submission alleges failure of the Mexican Government to
fulfill its obligations with respect to NAALC Articles 4 and 5, regarding ensuring access for
workers to fair, equitable, and transparent labor tribunal proceedings.
2.2.1 Freedom of Association
The submitters allege that the JLCA de Puebla improperly denied union
registration petitions for workers from both Matamoros Garment and Tarrant. Allegations
also include the use of force to disperse strikers, enactment of a “protection contract”
without the knowledge of workers, threats that the formation of an independent union would
result in the loss of contracts with buyers, surveillance and harassment of independent
union leaders, and the imposition of a “technical work stoppage” at a factory without prior
notice of the factory’s financial distress.
2.2.2 Minimum Employment Standards
The submitters allege that workers were not paid their minimum wage and
not paid back wages or legally mandated severance pay after factory closure. Additionally,
the submitters allege the Mexican Government failed to protect workers from forced labor and
overtime, illegal suspensions, and layoffs.
2.2.3 Prevention of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
Occupational safety and health allegations include persistent unsanitary
conditions in the factories’ cafeterias and bathrooms, inadequate safety equipment, improper
ventilation, occupational injuries and illnesses, and instances of mistreatment and verbal
abuse of workers.
2.2.4 Alleged Pattern of Non-Enforcement
Seeking to highlight the pattern of non-enforcement of labor laws in Mexico,
the submitters cite past U.S. NAO findings concerning failure on the part of Mexico to protect
the right of workers to form independent unions (U.S. NAO Submission 9403), to ensure access
to fair and impartial labor boards (U.S. NAO Submissions 9702 and 9703), and to ensure
occupational safety and health protections (U.S. NAO Submission 2000-01). The submitters
also allege that Mexico has failed to live up to the commitments it made as part of the
Ministerial Consultations Joint Declarations signed in May 2000 (joined by Canada) and June
2002, where the Mexican Government reaffirmed its commitment to enforce its labor laws
regarding freedom of association and protection of the right to organize, minimum employment
standards, and occupational safety and health protections.
2.3 Action Requested
Action requested of the U.S. NAO by the submitters includes:
- Conduct cooperative consultations, as outlined in Article 21 of the NAALC, in order to resolve the issues raised in the submission;
- Conduct ministerial consultations, as outlined in Article 22 of the NAALC, to discuss the failure to enforce applicable Mexican labor laws and international laws as cited in the submission;
- Hold one or more public hearings to receive oral testimony regarding issues contained in the submission;
- Convene an evaluation committee of experts as outlined in Article 23 of the NAALC, to review the issues raised in the submission that are trade related and mutually recognized labor laws, specifically in the following areas:
- Freedom of association consultations
- Wage consultations; and
- Occupational safety and health consultations; and
- Failing the above, convene an arbitral panel, as outlined in Article 29 of the NAALC, to discuss an alleged pattern of non-enforcement of labor laws regarding minimum employment standards and occupational safety and health.
Additionally, as part of their testimony during the U.S. NAO public hearing in Washington, D.C. on April 1, 2004, the submitters further requested that the following recommendations be presented to the Government of Mexico:
- A reminder to the Government of Mexico of its obligation under the NAALC to enforce its national laws;
- That all federal and local Labor Boards publicly disclose union registration and collective bargaining agreements, and that they grant union registrations in a transparent manner in strict accordance with Mexico’s federal labor law;
- That a tri-national oversight committee be established, composed of labor rights experts with the authority to investigate and issue findings regarding violations of the first three principles of the NAALC;7
- That a public cooperative activity focusing on freedom of association (in particular the union registration process) be held in the state of Puebla, with the participation of the Governor of Puebla, Puebla Labor Board officials, and the submitters; and
- That the matters presented in the submission be subject to review by an evaluation committee of experts – specifically those dealing with workplace safety and health, forced labor, and minimum wages.
3. U.S. NAO Review
Submission No. 2003-01 was accepted for review on February 5, 2004. The
review was deemed appropriate as the submission raised issues related to labor law matters in
Mexico and because a review would further the objectives of the NAALC. The decision to review
was not intended as a determination on the validity or accuracy of the allegations contained in
the submission.
In conducting its review, the U.S. considered information from the submitters
, workers, Tarrant management, representatives from unions, government officials, and testimony
received at a public hearing. The U.S. NAO also visited Mexico City and the state of Puebla on
April 21-29, 2004.
The focus of the review was to gather information to assist the U.S. NAO to
better understand and publicly report on the issues raised in the submission concerning freedom
of association, minimum employment standards, and occupational safety and health.
3.1 Information from Submitters
The U.S. NAO engaged in meetings, telephone conversations, and written
correspondence with the submitters in order to obtain additional information. The submission
included sixteen appendices containing worker testimony, correspondence between the submitters
and an athletic apparel company concerning alleged worker rights violations related to the
Matamoros Garment factory, correspondence from the submitters to Mexican government officials
regarding alleged worker rights violations at the Matamoros Garment factory, union formation
documents, union registration petition documents, union registration petition denials from the
JLCA de Puebla, copies of pay stubs, and a petition filed with Puebla government officials
regarding non-payment of wages and harassment of workers based on union activities.8
An amendment to the submission included allegations of worker rights
violations related to the Tarrant factory in Ajalpán, Tehuacán, Puebla. Appendices to the
amendment included union formation documents, union registration petitions, union registration
petition denials, and formal appeals against the denial of union registration.9 A third
amendment was submitted to the U.S. NAO in February 2004 which was a legal analysis and summary
of activities at Tarrant. Appendices included an appeal document filed before the Third
District Court and its resolution, and reinstallation demands.
Additional information and materials submitted to the U.S. NAO by the
submitters included video taped worker testimony, a legal analysis by a Mexican labor law
attorney regarding issues raised in the submission, photos of workers, a report on alleged
worker rights violations at Tarrant produced by the Worker Rights Consortium, news articles from
Mexican and international press regarding the alleged events raised in the submission, union
registration petitions and denials regarding the KukDong/MexMode factory in Atlixco, Puebla, and
harassment and surveillance complaints filed before Puebla government officials.10
3.2 Information from Mexican NAO
The U.S. NAO sent two sets of questions relating to the issues raised in the
submission to the Mexican NAO dated February 5, 2004 and May 7, 2004.11 On June 2, 2004, the
Government of Mexico provided the U.S. NAO with responses to some of the questions. The U.S.
NAO also requested NAO consultations under Article 21 of the NAALC with the Mexican NAO on the
matters raised in the submission, in order to better understand the responsibilities and
enforcement actions of the responsible government agencies. A brief meeting between the U.S.
and Mexican NAOs was held in Mexico City on April 22, 2004, but the Mexican NAO declined the U.S
. request to arrange meetings with other government officials.
3.3 Information from Visit to Mexico
Representatives from the U.S. NAO and U.S. Embassy traveled to Mexico City
and the state of Puebla on April 21-29, 2004. In addition to the meeting with Mexican NAO
officials, meetings were held with Mexican labor lawyers, officials from the JLCA of the Federal
District (Mexico City), an official from the JLCA de Puebla, representatives of the Sindicato
Nacional "Francisco Villa" of the Confederación de Trabajadores Mexicanos union (CTM) and the
Federación Revolucionaria de Obreros y Campesinos - Confederación Revolucionaria de Obreros y
Campesinos union (FROC-CROC), CAT officials, representatives of the Puebla branch of the
National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (CANACINTRA), management of the Tarrant factory,
and workers from Tarrant, Matamoros Garment, KukDong/MexMode, and the Puebla Children's Hospital
.
3.4 Information from Public Hearing
As part of the review process, the U.S. NAO conducted a public hearing in
Washington, D.C. on April 1, 2004. Notice of the hearing was published in the Federal Register
on March 2, 2004.12 Notice of the hearing also was provided to the Mexican and Canadian NAOs,
the submitters, and representatives of garment brands named in the submission as having sourced
garments from either Matamoros Garment or Tarrant.
Nine witnesses testified at the hearing. Nilay Vora of the United Students
Against Sweatshops (USAS) and Bob Jeffcott of the Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) gave an
overview of the allegations listed in the submission and restated the action the submitters
requested be taken by the U.S. NAO regarding the alleged non-compliance of the Government of
Mexico with its labor laws and NAALC obligations. Salvador García Sánchez and Maribel Ramírez
Torres, both former workers at Tarrant, described their experience and working conditions at
Tarrant, recounted the union formation effort and noted the difficulties they have faced in
finding other work in the region due to alleged blacklisting. Scott Nova, Executive Director of
the Washington-based Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), gave an overview of Mexican labor law in
the context of freedom of association, and detailed his first-hand experience reporting on
alleged worker rights violations at Tarrant. Shaila Balderas Toledo and Blanca Velázquez Díaz (
President) of the Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT) described worker rights in the state of
Puebla generally and detailed their experience supporting workers seeking to form unions at the
KukDong/MexMode, Matamoros Garment, and Tarrant factories in the state of Puebla. Alejandra
Constanza Ancheita Pagaza, Human and Labor Rights Attorney with the Centro de Derechos Humanos "
Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez", provided further information on Mexican labor law. Benjamin Cokelet
, Liaison to the CAT and Consultant to the AFL-CIO's (American Federation of Labor-Congress of
Industrial Organizations) American Center for International Labor Solidarity (Solidarity Center)
, summarized the efforts made by workers and worker rights groups to present complaints on
alleged worker rights violations before Mexican Government authorities.
4. Relevant Mexican Government Agencies Responsible for Enforcing Labor Law
Article 523 of Mexico's Federal Labor Law (LFT)13 specifies the labor
authorities and social service entities responsible for the application of labor norms in Mexico
. Relevant labor authorities concerning U.S. Submission 2003-01 include the Secretariat of
Labor and Social Welfare (STPS), Local Conciliation and Arbitration Boards (JLCAs), Mexican
Courts, the Procuraduría Federal de la Defensa del Trabajo - PROFEDET (Office of the Labor
Public Defender), and the Inspectorate of Labor.
Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare
The Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) is the leading labor body
in Mexico. Article 524 of the LFT defines the duties of STPS and the Labor Offices. STPS is an
executive agency that oversees compliance with labor laws, as well as collective bargaining,
fair labor standards, labor defense, and job training.14 The General Directorate for
Registration of Associations is housed within STPS and is charged with trade union registration
for matters under federal jurisdiction.15
Local Conciliation and Arbitration Boards
Article 123, Section XXXI of the Mexican Constitution provides that the
application of labor law is the responsibility of state authorities in their respective
jurisdictions, and matters within state jurisdiction are the responsibility of the state JLCAs.16
Some sectors of the economy fall under the jurisdiction of Mexican federal authorities, and are
listed in LFT Article 527. The federal JLCA has jurisdiction over matters involving federal
economic issues. The two plants in this submission are maquiladoras, which are transnational
companies allowed to operate in Mexico under special rules promulgated to promote investment.17
While the two plants produced textiles, which according to LFT Article 527 is a sector governed
by federal authorities, the factories are technically maquiladoras which, despite often
operating in the same sectors enumerated as being under federal jurisdiction, are considered a
separate sector that falls under the jurisdiction of state authorities.18
Final decisions of the JLCAs are defined as laudos. A laudo is a judicial
order, which may require the reinstatement of or issuance of severance payment to a worker
unjustifiably discharged or may order the employer otherwise to comply with the law or with the
collective contract.19 The decisions of local or federal JLCAs may only be challenged on
constitutional grounds through a separate proceeding referred to as the amparo lawsuit (juicio
de amparo).20
Mexican Courts
Under constitutional and statutory rights of amparo, a private party injured
by the decision or action of a JLCA may seek review in the courts alleging that the JLCA has
engaged in a violation of fundamental rights or due process of law.21 Federal courts have
exclusive jurisdiction over amparos and complaints must be filed before the courts within 15
days of the issuance of the act or decision to be challenged.22 Where a JLCA decision is
overturned, the court will identify the legal errors committed, indicate the legal
interpretations that should govern, and direct the JLCA to reopen or resume its proceedings so
that a decision may be reached in accordance with those interpretations.23
In Mexico, the Supreme Court and the federal appeals courts create binding
precedent, referred to as jurisprudencia firme, only when they issue five consecutive consistent
decisions on the same point.24 In the absence of such a series of decisions, a court ruling
binds only the parties to a particular case in question and need not be followed in other cases.25
Procuraduría Federal de la Defensa del Trabajo - PROFEDET (Office of the Labor Public Defender)
Pursuant to Article 4 (Section II) of its regulations, the Office of the
Labor Public Defender is responsible for training and advising workers, their unions, and
beneficiaries about rights and obligations regarding workplace rules, social welfare, and safety
- including the procedures and competent organizations responsible for enforcement.26 This
office is also responsible for receiving complaints filed by workers regarding non-compliance
and violations of workplace rules and, when necessary, summoning employers or unions (Section
III) on these matters, as well as proposing to interested
parties amicable solutions to resolve conflicts via the use of agreements.27 Article 5 states
that the services provided by the Office of the Labor Public Defender for workers, their unions
and beneficiaries are free, except for cases established in the law.28
Inspectorate of Labor
LFT Article 541 states that labor inspectors shall have the following duties:
I. ensure that the labor norms are observed, in particular those prescribing the rights and
obligations of workers and employers, those concerning the prevention of employment injuries,
safety and health;
II. inspect enterprises and establishments during the hours of work (day or night) on producing
identification …[and]
V. to suggest that any nonobservance of the employment conditions be corrected ….
Article 542 (Section II) states that labor inspectors shall inspect
enterprises and establishments periodically. Pursuant to Section IV, inspectors are required
to write reports, consult with workers and the employer, report any nonfulfillment or violation
of the labor norms, provide a copy of such report to the parties consulted, and forward the
report to the appropriate authority.
5. Labor Law and the Maquiladora Industry in Mexico
The two garment manufacturing plants referenced in the submission are
maquiladoras. Maquiladoras were established in 1965 in Mexico to attract investment and create
jobs, mainly in Mexican states bordering the United States.29 Of the three categories of
maquiladoras (captured, subcontracting and sheltered), the most prevalent is "captured," defined
as a majority owned or wholly owned foreign plant subject to most Mexican Laws.30 Labor
relations in maquiladora operations are regulated by the LFT.31 Maquiladoras do not enjoy any
special status or exemptions from complying with labor law and labor protections.32
Articles 2, 3, and 7 of the Presidential Decree for the Promotion and
Operation of the Maquiladora Industry, published in the Diario Oficial on December 22, 1989,
govern the registration and operation of a maquiladora.33 Several Government agencies are
responsible for the regulation of the maquiladora industry including the Secretariat of Commerce
and Industrial Development (SECOFI)34 and the Secretariat of Treasury and Public Credit (SHCP).35
In addition, STPS is a member of the inter-secretariat commission created to coordinate
interaction of governmental agencies with maquiladoras.36 One of the administrative requirements
mandated by the laws governing maquiladora formation includes the negotiation of a collective
bargaining agreement between the maquiladora and a labor union.37
6. Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize and the
Right to Bargain Collectively
6.1 NAALC Obligations
As noted, NAALC Article 1(b) calls for the Parties to promote, to the extent
possible, the labor principles set out in Annex 1 of the NAALC, which include 1) freedom of
association and protection of the right to organize and 2) the right to bargain collectively.
Annex 1 more specifically defines the principle of freedom of association and the protection of
the right to organize as the "right of workers exercised freely and without impediment to
establish and join organizations of their own choosing to further and defend their interests"
and defines the right to bargain collectively as the "protection of the right of organized
workers to freely engage in collective bargaining on matters concerning the terms and conditions
of employment."
Pursuant to NAALC Article 3 (1) and (2), each Party shall promote compliance
with and effectively enforce its labor law through appropriate government action - ensuring that
competent authorities give due consideration in accordance with its law to any request by an
employer, employee or their representatives, or other interested person, for an investigation of
an alleged violation of the Party's labor law. Additionally, NAALC Article 4(1) commits each
Party to "ensure that persons with a legally recognized interest under its law in a particular
matter have appropriate access to administrative, quasi-judicial or labor tribunals for the
enforcement of the Party's labor law." NAALC Article 5(1) commits each Party to "ensure that
its administrative, quasi-judicial, judicial and labor tribunal proceedings for the enforcement
of its labor laws are fair, equitable and transparent." Further, NAALC Article 5(3) commits
each Party to provide (within the law and "as appropriate") to parties to the aforementioned
labor tribunal proceedings, the right "to seek review and, where warranted, correction of final
decisions issued in such proceedings."
6.2 Mexican Law
6.2.1 Mexican Constitution
Article 133 of the Mexican Constitution provides that it is the supreme law
of the land. Accordingly, protections granted by the Constitution take precedence over any
subordinate laws, such as state statutes, that might contradict or violate those constitutional
protections.38 Freedom of association protections are provided for under Article 9 of the
Constitution, which states that the right to assemble or associate peaceably for any lawful
purpose cannot be restricted. Article 14 of the Constitution states that no person shall be
deprived of life, liberty, property, possessions, or rights without a trial by a duly created
court in which the essential formalities of procedure are observed and in accordance with laws
issued prior to the act.
6.2.2 Federal Labor Law
LFT Article 1 (extension and application of the law) states that this law
shall be generally observed throughout the Republic and shall govern the labor relations
referred to in Article 123(A) of the Constitution.
Precedence Toward Workers
LFT Article 18 provides that in case of doubt when interpreting labor norms
the more favorable interpretation shall be made in deference to workers.
Workers' and Employers' Rights and Obligations
LFT Article 133, Section IV states that an employer shall not "compel an
employee by coercion or any other means to join or withdraw from the individual association or
group of which he is a member, or to vote for a specified candidate." Section IX states that
employers shall not employ the system of blacklisting with regard to employees who leave or have
left their employment, with a view to preventing their future employment.
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize and Bargain Collectively
Freedom of association and protection of the right to organize are provided
in LFT Articles 357 and 358. LFT Article 357 states that "[w]orkers and employers shall have
the right to establish trade unions without prior authorization," while LFT Article 358 states
that "[n]obody shall be obligated to join or abstain from joining a trade union."
Number of members to form a trade union
LFT Article 364 states that trade unions must be formed with no less than
twenty workers in active employment or no less than three employers.
Recognition of Unions
LFT Article 365 lays out union registration requirements stating that unions shall submit the following documents in duplicate:
I. a duly authorized or authenticated copy of the minutes of the constituent assembly;
II. a list showing the number of members and indicating their names and addresses, the name and addresses of the employees, enterprises, or establishments in which they are employed;
III. an authenticated copy of the rules;
IV. an authenticated copy of the minutes of the meeting at which the board of directors was elected.
LFT Article 365 further states that the above documents shall be endorsed or
authenticated by the general secretary, the organizing secretary and the minutes secretary of
the union, unless there is a provision to the contrary in the union bylaws.
Article 366 states that registration may be refused only if:
I. the trade union does not have the aims and objects referred to in Article 356;
II. the trade union does not have the number of constituent members prescribed in Article 364;
III. the documents referred to in the preceding articles are not submitted.39
LFT Article 366 further states that if the requirements for registration of a
trade union are fulfilled the competent authorities shall not refuse registration.
Until a union is registered, it does not have legal recourse to the laws that
govern collective interests, including signing a collective bargaining agreement, representation
before legal bodies, or appearing in court.40
Collective Labor Contracts
In Mexico, LFT Article 386 defines collective bargaining agreements as "any
agreement concluded between one or more worker trade unions and one or more employers or
employer trade unions, for purposes of prescribing the conditions that will govern the
performance of work in one or more business enterprises or establishments."41 Section I of LFT
Article 388 provides that if there are two or more workers' unions or industrial unions or one
or more of each, the collective contract shall be made with the union holding the greatest
number of members employed in the enterprise.
Notification of Errors in Union Registration Petitions
LFT Article 685 provides that proceedings in labor disputes must be public,
without cost, immediate and primarily oral in nature. LFT Article 686 provides that the JLCAs
shall order correction of any irregularity or omission noted in the way proceedings are
conducted. LFT Article 873 provides that upon receiving a written complaint, within 24 hours
the respective JLCA must issue a resolution setting a date and time for a hearing, and that the
hearing date must be held within 15 days of when the complaint was received. In the same
resolution, the law stipulates that both parties to the complaint must be notified, and that
failure of the defendant to attend will result in the allegations in the complaint being
accepted as true.
Amparos in Mexico
As noted, amparos are established in Mexico's Constitution under
Articles 103 through 107. Best described as a special lawsuit authorized by the Mexican
Constitution, the amparo is a procedural vehicle used to protect individuals from the
infringement of their rights under the Constitution.42 The filing of an amparo is not an
appeal, but rather a separate lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of certain acts of
government authorities, including court rulings or the unconstitutional application of laws.43
Dismissal of Employees
LFT Article 47 lists fifteen causes for a worker or employer to rescind the
labor relationship without liability.44 Rescission denotes termination of the employment
relationship for breach or nonperformance by one of the parties.45 Pursuant to LFT Article 47
employers shall serve written notice on the employee indicating the date of and reasons for
termination of the contract. Failure by the employer to notify the worker or the JLCA shall be
sufficient grounds to consider that the dismissal was not justified. LFT Article 48 provides
that the worker may apply to a JLCA for his reinstatement in the position he occupied, or for
compensation in the form of three months' wages, at his choice. LFT Article 49 provides five
exceptions through which employers can be relieved of their obligation to reinstate workers,
provided the employer pays compensation as detailed in LFT Article 50. LFT Article 53 covers
the grounds for terminating the labor relationship, and is distinguished from LFT Article 47 in
that rescissions in LFT Article 47 generally stem from a breach, nonperformance or a similar
unlawful act carried out against one of the parties. LFT Article 53, by contrast, allows for
terminations originated by the joint will of the parties or those due to causes beyond their
control (e.g., death or mental incapacity of the worker).46
Exclusion Clause
LFT Article 395, known as the exclusion clause, gives employers the
right not to employ workers who are not members of the union holding the collective bargaining
agreement at the company. LFT Article 371 (VII) specifies that union bylaws must include
provision for expulsion or other disciplinary action of members.47
6.2.3 International Conventions/Treaties Ratified by Mexico
Article 133 of the Mexican Constitution provides that the laws passed by the
Congress, and all treaties concluded by the President and approved by the Senate - that are in
accord with it - will be the Supreme Law of the Union. The judges of every state will follow
the Constitution and these laws and treaties.48
Mexico ratified International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 87 (freedom
of association), which entered into effect on July 4, 1950. The Government of Mexico thereby
recognizes the Convention as part of Mexico's labor law.49 Articles 2 - 5 of ILO Convention 87
provide workers with the right to establish and join organizations of their own choosing without
previous authorization and the right to unionize without interference that would restrict this
right.
Additional relevant international agreements ratified by Mexico include the
American Convention on Human Rights, the Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human
Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Protocol of San Salvador), the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights.
6.3 Analysis
The freedom of association issues raised in the submission focus on the legal
process for recognition of unions in Mexico and the role of the Government of Mexico in taking
action when alerted to these issues. To support their allegations, the submitters presented
oral and written testimony to the U.S. NAO, as well as copies of legal materials describing the
decisions made by the JLCA de Puebla. The testimony is consistent with the legal decisions
concerning the description of events. Copies of letters written by the submitters, NGOs, and
private labels/brands, alerting local and federal Mexican government authorities about alleged
freedom of association violations at Matamoros Garment and Tarrant, were also presented to the U
.S. NAO by the submitters.
6.3.1 Legal Registration Process
According to the submission, after a prolonged period of worker
dissatisfaction due to a series of alleged worker rights violations, on January 13, 2003
Matamoros Garment workers held a strike, publicly announced their grievances to news media, and
signed documents to form the Sindicato Independiente de Trabajadores de la Empresa Matamoros
Garment, S.A. de C.V. (SITEMAG) union. On that same day, striking workers were visited by JLCA
de Puebla and Puebla State Attorney General officials, who informed workers that they already
had union representation, through a pre-existing collective bargaining agreement between
Matamoros Garment management and the CTM union. Matamoros Garment workers allege that prior to
hearing the news from the JLCA de Puebla officials that day, they had never been made aware that
they had union representation.50 CTM officials allege, however, that workers were fully aware
that the CTM held the collective bargaining agreement at Matamoros Garment - particularly as
Izúcar de Matamoros is a small town where news and information among workers is quickly spread.51
On January 20, 2003, workers filed a union registration petition signed by
162 workers with the JLCA de Puebla. On March 26, 2003, the JLCA de Puebla issued a decision
denying SITEMAG's petition for union registration, citing the following reasons: 1) the two
lists of members names are not identical (the name of one union committee member is written
incorrectly), the reason for forming the union is not written on one of the lists, and one list
is not properly authorized; 2) the lists submitted do not authenticate that all members
attending the union formation assembly were over 14 years of age as required by law; 3) one of
the workers whose name is on the list denied he had ratified his signature; and 4) the legally
mandated minimum of 20 workers required to register a union could not be confirmed because the
factory was closed when the JLCA de Puebla visited the factory (March 18, 2003) as part of its
analysis.52
Regarding Tarrant, the submitters claim that, after alleged worker rights
violations and the failure to satisfactorily receive redress from plant management, Tarrant
workers filed a union registration petition for the Sindicato Unico Independiente de
Trabajadores de la Empresa Tarrant México (SUITTAR) union before the JLCA de Puebla on August 7,
2003 - having convened their formative assembly and signed union formation documents on July 12,
2003. Apparently 728 workers signed the petition. Both before and after the filing of their
union registration petition, the submitters allege that workers raised their issues on numerous
occasions with plant management, held strikes and public marches, and presented their complaints
publicly before local media, the JLC de Tehuacán (labor board with conciliation competency only)
, the JLCA de Puebla, and the Governor of Puebla. Upon filing their union registration
documents, workers allege that they were informed that they already had union representation - a
fact they state was previously unknown to them:
We were never told that we had a union. The dues were never deducted or anything, so when we …
requested our independent union, all these unions started appearing. But we had never heard of
them before. We didn't even know there was a union in that company.53
Tarrant management, however, noted in an interview with the U.S. NAO in April 2004, that on
their first day of work workers were given a two-hour orientation, which included a review of
benefits, informing workers of their existing union representation, and other general
information about the workplace.54
On October 6, 2003, the JLCA de Puebla denied the SUITTAR registration
petition, citing five reasons: 1) failure to submit two copies of the original petition; 2)
failure to form the union and elect its executive committee on two separate dates; 3)
misspelling one of the 728 workers' names on the petition; 4) failure to establish by-laws
regarding the union's assets; and 5) unclear by-laws regarding member discipline.55
In a legal analysis of the JLCA decision, a Mexican labor lawyer asserted
that "the denial of the registro is absolutely lacking in legal foundation," finding that all of
the reasons given for the denial contradict LFT Article 366, which provides the specific grounds
on which a registro can be denied.56 The lawyer opined that the SUITTAR registration petition
met all of the requirements of Article 366. For example, based on a review of the petition
documents submitted by SUITTAR, he concluded that duplicate copies of the petition were
submitted. In addition, he maintained that SUITTAR provided the necessary evidence that it
conducted a union assembly proceeding and election of an executive committee. Further, the
attorney concluded that the bylaws submitted by SUITTAR include the necessary provisions
addressing how union assets will be acquired and utilized and how members will be disciplined.
After pointing out errors in the five reasons given for denial of the union
registration, the lawyer argues that the decision is "totally contrary to the law, lacking in
elementary legal technique, making evident the bad faith and partiality with which it is
conducted, and on the other hand it is totally original given that it invents motives that, in
the legal history of our country, have not occurred to any judge. Therefore it obviously can be
challenged in various ways."57 Finally, the lawyer asserts that the rejection decision indicates
a direct violation of ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to
Organize.58
LFT Article 365 clearly indicates the requirements and necessary
documentation that must accompany a petition, and LFT Article 366 indicates that union
registration may be refused if the requirements of Article 365 are not met or if the union does
not have the correct number of members in accordance with Article 364 (20 members). However, a
number of the reasons cited by the JLCA de Puebla for denying the union registration petitions
appear to rest on technicalities. The submitters argue that LFT Articles 685, 686, and 873
dictate the responsibility of the JLCAs to correct petitions by workers that are incomplete.
Indeed, some JLCA officials and legal experts in Mexico share this view.59 However, the
Government of Mexico asserts that Article 685 applies only in labor dispute proceedings between
employers and employees, and not in administrative proceedings such as the union registration
process.60 Separately, the Government of Mexico asserted before the ILO that Article 685
provides for the JLCAs to correct petition errors for individual workers - not unions - and
therefore there was no requirement for the JLCA de Puebla to correct the omissions or errors
cited as justification for denial of the union registration petitions.61
The ILO has urged the Government of Mexico to take measures to ensure that
the JLCAs provide petitioners with the opportunity to correct irregularities identified in union
registration documents when submitted.62 On the principle of freedom of association, the ILO
observes: "The formalities prescribed by law for the establishment of a union should not be
applied in such a way as to delay or prevent the setting up of occupational organizations."63
Further to this point, the ILO notes:
the principle of freedom of association would often remain a dead letter if workers and
employers were required to obtain any kind of previous authorization to enable them to establish
an organization. Such authorization could concern the formation of the trade union organization
itself, the need to obtain discretionary approval of the constitution or rules of the
organization, or, again, authorization for taking steps prior to the establishment of the
organization. This does not mean that the founders of an organization are freed from the duty
of observing formalities concerning publicity or other similar formalities which may be
prescribed by law. However, such requirements must not be such as to be equivalent in practice
to previous authorization, or as to constitute such an obstacle to the establishment of an
organization that they amount in practice to outright prohibition.64
Additionally, the view expressed by the Government of Mexico that the JLCA
has no duty to inform workers of errors and help them because the law refers to individuals
rather than unions appears not only inconsistent with ILO interpretations, but actually to
possibly support the submitters' assertion that the JLCA de Puebla had a responsibility to
assist the workers. As the U.S. NAO understands Mexican law, the union has no legal recourse
under the laws as an entity unless and until the registration is approved by the JLCA; thus, the
petition before the JLCA would appear to have been submitted by "individuals" not by a "union."
The U.S. NAO review of the legal documentation submitted with the union
petitions of SITEMAG and SUITTAR indicated that the petitions appear to have satisfied the
provisions of Article 365. In the case of SUITTAR, although the JLCA de Puebla seemed to impose
a burden of proof on the union to establish that petition signatories were over 14 years of age,
there is no indication in Article 365 of an affirmative duty on the part of the petitioners to
provide such documentation. While the JLCA's concern for underage workers is admirable, it does
not seem reasonable, without evidence, to believe that 143 of the 162 workers who signed the
SUITTAR registration petition were under 15 years of age.
Further, the U.S. NAO review indicates that, if there were problems with the
union registration petitions of SITEMAG and SUITTAR, those can be best described as minor
technical errors. For example, in the case of SITEMAG, it appears that the JLCA de Puebla
decision to deny the registration based on the workers' failure to submit a duplicate copy may
simply have resulted from the workers submitting two identical lists, as required under Article
365, but in different forms (a handwritten list and a machine-printed list).
Similarly, the denials by the JLCA de Puebla of the SUITTAR petition based on
the misspelling of one of the 728 names or the objection of one Matamoros Garment worker to
having his name listed as one of the 162 workers included in the registration petition seem
overly technical.
Based on all of the evidence presented to the U.S. NAO, it appears that in
the case of SUITTAR and SITEMAG workers should have at least been given an opportunity to
correct errors. This conclusion is supported by other legal authorities and is consistent with
previous submissions brought before the U.S. NAO. Given these factors, questions are raised
over the validity of the original registration denials for SITEMAG and SUITTAR issued by the
JLCA de Puebla, the need to assist workers, and previous authorization as an obstacle to union
formation, as they appear to deviate from Mexican Law.
The issue of freedom of association in Mexico and non-enforcement of relevant
labor laws has been raised in the majority of the fifteen submissions filed with the U.S. NAO
against Mexico. In particular, the June 4, 1996 U.S. NAO report on ministerial consultations on
U.S. NAO #940003 (a submission focusing on allegations concerning freedom of association and the
right to organize at a facility in Tamaulipas, Mexico) made a number of findings which included:
1) it is very difficult for workers to register unions at the local level in Mexico; 2)
registration laws are not uniformly applied in every JLCA jurisdiction; and 3) Mexican experts
recognize these problems and recommend changes to the current union registration system at the
local level.65 In light of the recurring freedom of association issues raised in the current
submission, it would appear that despite the passage of 10 years, the same enforcement
deficiencies persist in Mexico.
As noted, the Mexican Constitution provides a process through which amparos
can be filed to challenge the constitutionality of the acts of government authorities.
Regarding the JLCA de Puebla's March 26, 2003 denial of the SITEMAG union registration petition,
workers had 15 days to file an amparo contesting the decision. However, the submitters allege
that the letter containing the JLCA de Puebla's decision was mailed to the wrong address, so
that by the time it was located Matamoros Garment workers only had half (seven) of the legally
allowed days remaining - which proved insufficient to prepare an amparo. The Government
of Mexico asserts that by not filing an amparo, Matamoros Garment workers did not avail
themselves of the legally mandated procedures and protections afforded them under the LFT.66
In the Tarrant case, workers did file an amparo with the Third District Court
in Puebla on October 27, 2003, to contest the JLCA de Puebla's denial of the SUITTAR union
registration on October 6, 2003. The amparo was accepted for review on November 4, 2003.
Over the following months, however, the SUITTAR union executive committee withdrew the amparo
after workers accepted severance payments from Tarrant management due to alleged harassment
and intimidation, coupled with the economic pressure of being unemployed in Mexico. In written
testimony, one Tarrant worker alleged that he was obligated to desist from the amparo by
a company representative and because he did not have money to support his family.67
In view of workers having accepted severance, SUITTAR desisted from its
appeal on November 28, 2003.68 On December 8, 2003, the court formally dismissed the amparo,
based on the majority of Tarrant workers having accepted their severance, the Union Executive
Committee withdrawing its appeal, and the resulting severing of the labor relationship with the
company under the terms of LFT Article 53. The issue of workers accepting severance rather than
continuing to fight for reinstatement also is an issue that has been raised in past NAO
submissions. In October 1994, the U.S. NAO reported in its Report of Review on Submission
#940001 and #940002 that the majority of workers opted to take severance pay. As a result, the
U.S. NAO made the following conclusion:
Since workers for personal reasons accepted severance, thereby preempting Mexican authorities
from establishing whether the dismissals were for cause or in retribution for union organizing,
the NAO is not in a position to make a finding that the Government of Mexico failed to enforce
the relevant labor laws.69
However, in subsequent submissions the U.S. NAO found that "maquiladora
workers often feel pressured to sign voluntary resignations in order to receive severance rather
than risk receiving nothing if they pursue legal redress and lose."70
In addition to the alleged series of worker rights violations that led
Matamoros Garment and Tarrant workers to seek to exercise their freedom of association rights,
the submitters allege that throughout the legal union registration process workers were harassed
and intimidated by a variety of parties, in an effort to stop them from pursuing their union
registration efforts. This alleged intimidation was brought to the attention of Mexican local
and federal government officials and local media. On February 25, 2003, for example, Matamoros
Garment workers filed a complaint with the State Attorney General's Office of Puebla, which
included testimony from various SITEMAG members alleging harassment of themselves and their
family members by twelve men believed to be affiliated with the union holding the alleged
protection contract at the plant. One worker alleged:
as of a month ago, we members of the [independent] union have noticed that we are being followed
. . . . when we meet in the plaza
. . . . men arrive that stay watching us and writing in notebooks as if describing us, they
measure the time we spend meeting and they follow us to the bus stop, and in my case they've
even followed me home and I see them when I leave my house. . . . and generally they are the
same people, about 12 of them. . . . they've even taken our pictures. . . . 71
As of the date of publication of this report, nearly one and one half years
after the filing of SITEMAG's February 25, 2003 harassment complaint before the State Attorney
General's Office in Puebla, no official ruling or decision has been issued on this matter. In
addition, the Government of Mexico has not yet responded to questions posed by the U.S. NAO on
this matter.72
6.3.2 Mexican Government Action
Throughout the alleged events at Matamoros Garment and Tarrant, Mexican
government officials were alerted to the alleged freedom of association violations on numerous
occasions. The submitters provided the U.S. NAO with letters and documents filed with the
following local and federal government officials in Mexico: President Vicente Fox Quesada;
Mexican Labor Secretary Carlos María Abascal Carranza; the Governor of the state of Puebla - Lic
. Melquiades Morales Flores; the JLCA de Puebla; the JLC de Tehuacán; the State Attorney General
's Office of Puebla; and emails and letters to high level officials at the Mexican Embassy in
Washington.
A letter sent to Mexican President Vicente Fox and Mexican Labor Secretary
Carlos Abascal dated April 17, 2003,73 detailed alleged domestic and international labor law
violations at Matamoros Garment. In the letter, the submitters requested that the JLCA
reconsider SITEMAG's application for registration, and that applicants be provided with
assistance to correct technical deficiencies on the application as required under LFT. The
submitters also requested that President Fox and Secretary Abascal communicate with the Governor
of Puebla about the issues at the plant and request his intervention with the JLCA de Puebla.
As recently as March 4, 2004, the submitters wrote to the Governor of Puebla
requesting he hold a hearing to discuss the issues at Tarrant due to alleged freedom of
association violations and other worker rights violations at the plant. Additional letters were
submitted to the Governor of Puebla on October 2, 2003 (a preliminary copy of U.S. Submission
2003-01 and the report written by the Worker Rights Consortium detailing alleged worker rights
violations at Tarrant), September 11, 2003 (a letter of appreciation for agreeing to intervene
and meet with the JLCA de Puebla based on Tarrant workers' demands), and August 25, 2003 (a
letter alerting the Governor to the formation of SUITTAR and illegal firings due to union
organizing attempts at Tarrant and other alleged labor rights violations).74
Letters and documents also were filed with the JLC de Tehuacán and high-level
officials at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C. detailing the alleged worker rights abuses.75
Additionally, on September 15, 2003 and October 22, 2003, a senior official from a U.S. garment
label wrote letters to the Governor of Puebla, with copies to the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, the
Mexican Ambassador to the United States, and the President of the JLCA de Puebla, expressing
concern over the alleged worker rights violations at Tarrant and asking the Governor to lend
attention to the matter.
As noted, NAALC Article 3 (1) and (2) obliges each Party to promote
compliance with and effectively enforce its labor law through appropriate government action. It
is clear that the Government of Mexico was made aware on numerous occasions of the alleged
worker rights violations taking place at the Matamoros Garment and Tarrant factories, through
letters, local news reports, and face-to-face meetings with workers, worker rights groups, and
Mexican and foreign private companies. The U.S. NAO is awaiting response from the Government of
Mexico as to what, if any, action resulted from the various requests for action.
7. Minimum Employment Standards
7.1 NAALC Obligations
The provisions of the NAALC relevant to the minimum employment standards
issues raised in this submission include NAALC Article 1(b), which calls for the Parties to
promote, to the extent possible, the labor principles set out in Annex 1 of the NAALC.
Specifically, NAALC Principle 6 covers the "establishment of minimum employment standards, such
as minimum wages and overtime pay, for wage earners, including those not covered by collective
agreements."76 Also relevant to this section of the report, NAALC Principle 4 commits each
Party to prohibit all forms of forced or compulsory labor.77
As noted in Section 6.1 of this report, NAALC Article 3 (1) commits each
Party to promote compliance with and effectively enforce its labor law through appropriate
government action. Additionally, NAALC Article 4(1) commits each Party to ensure that persons
with a legally recognized interest have appropriate access to administrative, quasi-judicial or
labor tribunals for the enforcement of the Party's labor law; Article 5(1) commits each Party to
ensure that labor tribunal proceedings are fair, equitable and transparent; and Article 5(3)
commits each Party to provide parties to the aforementioned labor tribunal proceedings, the
right "to seek review and, where warranted, correction of final decisions issued in such
proceedings."
7.2 Mexican Law
7.2.1 Mexican Constitution
Article 123, Title 6 of the Mexican Constitution establishes minimum
employment standards in Mexico. In addition, Article 123 (A)(I) and (II) of the Mexican
Constitution provides that the duration of the work day is eight hours during daytime and seven
hours at night. Article 123 (A)(XI) states:
When, because of extraordinary circumstances, the hours of work must be increased, wages or
salary must be paid at the rate of 100% more than the amount set for normal time. In no case
may the overtime exceed three hours daily, or three consecutive times. Those younger than
sixteen years of age are not included in this class of worker.
7.2.2 Federal Labor Law
LFT Article 3 provides that work be performed under conditions that insure
the life, health and decent standard of living for the worker and his family.
Hours of Work
Pursuant to LFT Article 61, the maximum daily hours of work shall be eight
for day work, seven for night work and seven and a half in the case of mixed hours. LFT Article
66 provides that daily work hours may only be prolonged on account of exceptional
circumstances, on condition that they not exceed the normal hours by more than three hours per
day or three times a week. LFT Article 68 provides that no worker shall be compelled to work
hours in excess of those determined by law and that overtime over and above nine hours per week
shall be paid for by the employer at the rate of three times the ordinary rates paid for normal
working hours. These overtime wages do not, however, amount to part of the worker's salary for
purposes of severance - unless it was paid in a permanent manner.
Wages
Pursuant to LFT Article 85, wages shall be sufficiently remunerative and
never less than the amount fixed by the LFT as a minimum. LFT Article 88 provides that the
intervals between paydays shall in no case exceed one week (in the case of persons engaged in
manual work) or 15 days (in the case of all other workers).
Minimum Wage
LFT Article 90 defines the "minimum wage" as the smallest cash payment that a
worker shall receive for services performed during the hours of work.
Weekly Rest and Holidays (Compulsory Rest days)
Pursuant to LFT Article 69, the workers shall be entitled to at least one rest day with full pay every six days. LFT Article 74 provides for compulsory days of rest, including specific holidays.
Vacation
Pursuant to LFT Article 76, workers in service of an employer for more than a year are entitled to paid annual vacation leave.
Employers' Obligations
LFT Article 132 (Section II) states that employers shall pay workers the
wages and other payments to be made to the workers, in accordance with the rules applicable in
the company.
Collective Suspension of Labor Relations
Temporary plant closings are covered under LFT Article 427 (Section V), which
states that grounds for the temporary suspension of the labor relationship can include lack of
money and the impossibility of obtaining it for the normal continuance of work, if these facts
are adequately provided by the employer. The appropriate procedures to be followed are listed
under LFT Articles 892-899. Permanent plant closings are covered under LFT Articles 433-439 and
procedures under Articles 900-919.78 LFT Article 428 provides that staff of lesser seniority
shall be the first to be suspended. LFT Articles 430-431 provide that the JLCA shall authorize
or endorse the suspension of the labor relationship and shall fix the compensation to be paid to
workers. The trade union and workers may request that the JLCA provide verification as to
whether the original grounds for the suspension still apply.
Severance Compensation
LFT Article 50 calls for compensation for workers who are not reinstated.
LFT Article 51 (Section V) allows a worker to terminate the labor relationship without liability
for the worker if the worker does not receive the wages owed at the time or in the place agreed
upon or fixed according to custom.
7.2.3 International Conventions/Treaties Ratified by Mexico
Article 1 of ILO Convention 131, ratified by Mexico on April 18, 1973,79 calls
for ratifying members to establish a system of minimum wages that will cover all groups of wage
earners whose terms of employment are such that coverage would be appropriate. Pursuant to
Article 2, minimum wages shall have the force of law and shall not be subject to abatement and
failure to apply them shall make the person or persons concerned liable to appropriate penal or
other sanctions. Article 3 provides for protections concerning the level of minimum wages.
7.3 Analysis
The submitters raised four issues relevant to minimum employment standards: (
1) wages and overtime, which includes forced labor to meet production demands; (2) dismissal
of employees; (3) collective suspension of labor relations; and (4) severance compensation. To
support their allegations, the submitters presented oral and written testimony, copies of press
reports, payroll receipts, and numerous letters and documents filed before the Government of
Mexico concerning salary theft, back wages owed, profit sharing, forced labor and overtime,
mandatory days of rest, and reinstallation demands for illegally fired workers.
7.3.1 Wages and Overtime
Concerning alleged wage and overtime violations, the submitters' allegations
include: failure to pay the minimum wage to garment sewers (Matamoros); failure to pay three
weeks of back wages owed workers, and eventual payment by management of only half the wages owed
workers (Matamoros); witnessing by the JLCA de Puebla of insufficient back wage payments to
workers on more than one occasion (Matamoros); non-payment of contractually agreed wages (
Tarrant); and alleged failure to protect workers from forced labor (i.e., allegations of workers
being locked inside the factories) and unpaid overtime - including work performed on weekends
and holidays (Matamoros Garment and Tarrant).
To support the allegations, workers from Matamoros Garment and Tarrant
presented testimony to the U.S. NAO concerning wage and overtime issues. Workers from Matamoros
Garment alleged that the factory paid professional garment sewers below the minimum wage.81
Agustina Reyes, an employee at Matamoros Garment for three years, testified that her daily wage
before overtime and other allowances was 39 pesos. Similarly, Jaime Ayala Sanchéz, former
SITEMAG leader at Matamoros Garment, stated in written testimony to the U.S. NAO:
Wages received were 38 pesos a day plus incentive bonuses (primas). The legal minimum wage
during the time the factory opened was 54 pesos per day.82
Workers from Matamoros Garment and Tarrant also presented testimony
concerning back payments owed, non-payment of contractually agreed wages, excessive work hours,
and forced labor and overtime due to high productivity demands. Jaime Ayala Sanchéz, testified:
We went three weeks without being paid. Our pay was supposed to be deposited in the bank but
sometimes we were tricked because we would go to the bank and the money was not there. We were
obligated to work extra hours without pay and we were threatened if we did not stay. Sometimes
we worked Saturday and Sunday, and on occasions management would lock us inside the factory to
meet production demands. These are the reasons as to why we decided to form our independent
union SITEMAG.83
Salvador García, Maribel Ramírez, and Martin Zacatzi Tequextle, former
SUITTAR leaders from Tarrant, presented similar testimony. Mr. García stated:
When we didn't produce enough, we were forced to work overtime. We were threatened by
management who informed us that if we did not stay, we were not going to be paid for that week.
Very few times we were paid overtime and for work on holidays. We worked 10 hours from 8:00 a.m
. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday but when the production was not up to par, we had to work
on Saturdays and sometimes on Sundays, and we were not paid.84
To further support wage and overtime allegations, the submitters presented
the U.S. NAO with copies of documents signed between worker representatives and management at
both Matamoros Garment and Tarrant. At Matamoros Garment, the workers and the director signed
an agreement, allegedly witnessed by an official from the JLCA de Puebla, on January 21, 2003 in
response to workers' demands for three and one half weeks of back pay owed and an end to forced
overtime, among other issues.85 In the document, the company agreed to pay workers their
salaries and agreed to provide workers with advance written notice about workdays that would
require overtime - with the decision on working extra hours left up to the workers.86 At Tarrant
, a copy of a list of demands (Pliego Petitorio) was submitted by the Tarrant Workers'
Negotiating Committee to Tarrant management requesting an 8-hour workday, pay for overtime,
respect for mandatory days of rest, and payment of salaries for days during the work stoppage.87
In a signed document referencing the Pliego Petitorio, management and workers agreed to the
following: a 10-hour workday, Monday - Friday only; overtime regulations shall be followed
pursuant to LFT Articles 66-68, and always and if workers are available as needed by the company
; and mandatory days of rest shall be respected pursuant to LFT Article 74.88 The document was
ratified before the JLC de Tehuacán on July 8, 2003.
A clothing label sourcing with Matamoros Garment conducted an audit of the
facility in September 2002 and reported that salary levels were above the required minimum wage,89
but later on January 18, 2003 temporarily stopped sourcing due to alleged Corporate Code of
Conduct violations at the plant.90 An email from the clothing label written almost one month
later, on February 13, 2003, acknowledged that some workers were paid below the minimum wage:
Although you rightly indicated that payments were made below the appropriate classification of
the respective workers, matters to correct this discrepancy have already been initiated.91
The clothing label also supported the submitters' assertion that the JLCA de
Puebla witnessed workers being paid late, though only for one week, and not 2-3 weeks as alleged
by the submitters.92 The clothing label stated that workers were paid late as a result of
Matamoros Garment's financial difficulties, but noted workers were paid their full wages.93 In
addition, contrary to the submitter's allegations of forced labor and overtime violations at
Matamoros Garment, an inspection by the same clothing label in February 2003 reported the
following:
All 22 interviewed employees indicated that they were never locked in the factory. They could,
with permission from Human Resources and/or their Supervisors, leave the factory at any time.94
A different clothing label operating at Tarrant informed the U.S. NAO that
its May 2003 assessment at the plant found Terms of Engagement violations prior to beginning
production. The company stated:
We identified as part of that review Terms of Engagement violations, including non-payment of
proper overtime wages and excessive overtime hours. At that time, factory management was
responsive to meeting our Terms of Engagement and agreed to address issues that were identified.95
One month later, the clothing label confirmed during a follow-up visit that
employees had received back wages owed, employees were no longer working excessive overtime, and
a manager had been replaced.96
7.3.1.1 Mexican Government Action
Throughout the alleged events at Matamoros Garment and Tarrant, formal
complaints and letters were submitted to local and federal government officials alerting them to
minimum employment standards violations (i.e., sub-minimum wages, unpaid wages, forced overtime,
and instances of workers being locked inside the factories) at both Matamoros Garment and
Tarrant. Workers filed a formal complaint on March 24, 2003 with the State Attorney General's
Office of Puebla alleging salary theft against the director of Matamoros Garment.97 In addition,
reinstallation demands due to alleged illegal firings and documents requesting back wages owed
were also submitted to government officials on behalf of Tarrant workers. Furthermore, letters
were submitted to Mexican President Vicente Fox and Labor Secretary Carlos Abascal,98 the Deputy
Chief of Mission at the Mexican Embassy,99 the Governor of Puebla,100 and the Town President (
Presidente Municipal) of Izucár de Matamoros concerning back wages owed,101 and to the clothing
labels requesting an audit due to minimum wage violations.102
The submitters also claimed that they met with the Municipal Office of Izúcar
de Matamoros (Dirección de Gobernación) concerning minimum employment standard violations at
Matamoros Garment.103 In addition, the Municipal Office wrote a letter to US Labor Exchange in
the Americas Project (LEAP) dated March 25, 2003, which confirms that the Government of Mexico
was aware of minimum employment violations at the plant (i.e., back pay owed, debt, and working
conditions). The letter mentioned that some back pay was issued to workers and, as far as the
municipal office was aware, workers were paid in entirety.104 The letter also mentioned that the
JLCA de Puebla was reviewing the workers' concerns very carefully.105
On January 14, 2003 and in March 2003, the submitters alleged that the JLCA
de Puebla witnessed Matamoros Garment management paying workers 2 to 3 weeks of back wages owed
at less than the daily minimum wage.106 Allegedly the JLCA never acknowledged these violations
when the payments were made, and did not take any action to correct the situation. Should this
have been the case, it would indicate knowledge on the part of the JLCA de Puebla that minimum
employment standards violations had occurred at Matamoros Garment. Concerning minimum wage
violations, pursuant to Articles 386 and 387, Section XII of the Federal Penal Code, evasion by
an employer to pay the minimum daily wage will subject the employer to a criminal penalty for
salary fraud.107 The U.S. NAO posed specific questions to the Government of Mexico concerning
the allegation that the JLCA de Puebla witnessed back payments to Matamoros Garment workers.108
In June 2004, the Government of Mexico informed the U.S. NAO that information has been requested
from the appropriate authorities about this matter.109
Furthermore, the document filed on March 24, 2003 with the State Attorney
General's Office of Puebla alleged salary theft against the director of Matamoros Garment.
Though 59 workers signed the petition, the document stated that more than 100 workers had not
received wages owed to them by management and, when workers arrived at the plant to pick up
their paychecks, the plant was closed without any additional information or guidelines provided.110
In response to specific inquiries by the U.S. NAO regarding the official complaint,111 the
Government of Mexico informed the U.S. NAO that information has been requested from the
appropriate authorities.112 Therefore, despite the formal complaint being filed with Government
of Mexico officials over one year ago, the U.S. NAO is unable to determine what action, if any,
the Government of Mexico is taking to effectively enforce the relevant labor laws.
The Government of Mexico informed the U.S. NAO that the legal representative
of Tarrant was summoned by the JLC de Tehuacán in June 2003 to address the various labor
problems at the plant, and that workers' demands from the Pliego Petitorio were later ratified
by the JLC de Tehuacán on July 8, 2003 following conciliation proceedings held by mutual
agreement on June 18 and 30, 2003.113 However, workers alleged that management continued to
violate the agreement and as a result formed the SUITTAR union just days later.114 Corroborating
the allegations that worker rights violations continued at Tarrant after the July 8, 2003
agreement is the Government of Mexico's acknowledgement that a complaint was filed before the
JLCA de Puebla in August 2003 by six workers concerning reinstallation of dismissed workers,
overdue or back wages as from the date they were dismissed, overtime, and profit-sharing.
Regarding this complaint, the Government of Mexico informed the U.S. NAO that while the JLCA de
Puebla notified all relevant parties to prepare for a conciliation hearing, the hearing was
later suspended at the request of the parties as mutually agreed for purposes of a settlement.115
Subsequently the company and workers signed agreements in October and November 2003 that the
Government of Mexico claims fully satisfied the workers' demands for benefits found in their
initial complaint and the JLCA de Puebla therefore ordered the case be set aside and considered
closed as it lacked legal grounds on which to proceed pursuant to LFT Article 5 (Section XIII),
33, 53, 692, 713, 724, 880, 889, 938, 949, 987 and other related articles.116 Whether any follow-
up action by the Government of Mexico took place, based on workers assertions that problems
remained once the conciliation proceedings were declared resolved, remains unclear.
7.3.2 Dismissal of Employees
Regarding alleged illegal firings and layoffs at Matamoros Garment and
Tarrant, the submitters assert that the Government of Mexico failed to enforce its labor laws
because the proper legal process before the JLCA de Puebla was not followed as required by law.117
Agustina García Reyes - a sewer with more than 20 years of experience and a three-year employee
at Matamoros Garment - recalled:
When the company began to notice that workers formed an independent union, reprisals began for
independent union members. Management began to fire workers, including myself. I was sent home
because I was told there was no work, but I was never able to return. Months later the factory
closed and I was never paid.118
During the NAO public hearing, SUITTAR leaders from Tarrant recalled their
dismissals, which involved the participation of company security. Ms. Ramirez, with three years
of experience at the plant, recalled her dismissal as follows:
They had a policeman escort me to the office and he told me, "We don't have any
work for you and therefore, you have to leave right away." I could not even go back to pick up
my sweater or anything, including my purse…. I said, "Well explain to me why you are firing me?
What did I do or explain to me why I'm not performing up to par," and they said, "Well they are
orders that we receive from higher up."119
Contrary to testimony from workers and the submitters, Tarrant management
informed the U.S. NAO during an interview in the state of Puebla in April 2004 that the
determination of which workers would be dismissed in groups at the plant was done based on
seniority. Pursuant to LFT Article 428 (suspension of staff of lesser seniority), workers with
less seniority shall be the first to be suspended. Furthermore, Tarrant management informed the
U.S. NAO that the SUITTAR union leaders were the new employees at the plant and were therefore
dismissed because they did not have seniority - not because of union organizing attempts.
However, the U.S. NAO was able to confirm during interviews in the state of Puebla with former
Tarrant workers (not affiliated with SUITTAR) that some workers with two years of experience or
less were working up until February 2, 2004 (the plant closing date), which appears to be
contradictory to management's statement.120
Tarrant management also informed the U.S. NAO during an oral interview that
Tarrant had a policy for firing workers which included a verbal warning, followed by a written
warning (i.e., inform workers in advance and on more than one occasion).121 Workers from both
Matamoros Garment and Tarrant testified that they were not given any written notice and reasons
for their dismissals.122
To support the submitter's allegations, letters and formal complaints were
filed with local and Mexican Government officials. Reinstallation demands for Tarrant workers
allegedly illegally fired from the plant were filed in August, September and November 2003 with
the JLCA de Puebla.123 In addition, on September 15, 2003, a clothing label operating at Tarrant
submitted a letter to the Governor of Puebla (with a copy to the Mexican Ambassador to the U.S.
and the President of the JLCA de Puebla) urging the timely reinstatement of illegally fired
workers if an investigation concludes that the allegations are true.124
Pursuant to the LFT, the seniority of Ms. Ramirez and Ms. Reyes as employees
at Matamoros Garment and Tarrant should have been recognized when they were dismissed. Indeed,
Tarrant workers testified that when the company name switched to Tarrant, the management made a
commitment to respect seniority and profit sharing.125 In addition, a petition was filed on
November 12, 2003 before the JLCA de Puebla alleging illegal firings and dismissals of two
workers in violation of LFT Articles 947126 and 50.127 Presented on behalf of one Tarrant worker
with more than three years of experience and seniority at the plant, the petition stated:
Beginning in July 1999, the sewer worked from 8:00am-6:00pm from Monday - Friday, with a half
hour to eat and to take a break. At 4:00pm, the maximum legal workday should have ended, but at
6:00pm, the worker had 2 extra work hours on a daily basis from Monday-Friday. In other words,
10 extra hours per week from the time the worker started until the time of the sewer's illegal
firing. Vacation pay owed was also included in the demand.128
The Government of Mexico informed the U.S. NAO in June 2004 that 25
individual complaints alleging wrongful dismissal at Tarrant were filed with the JLCA de Puebla
in 2003, of which fifteen were either settled or dismissed.129 The nine remaining cases are still
pending before the JLCA de Puebla.130 To date, however, the Government of Mexico has not provided
the U.S. NAO with specific information requested in May 2004 concerning the procedures followed
pursuant to the LFT concerning the dismissal of employees from Matamoros Garment and Tarrant.
The Government of Mexico did inform the U.S. NAO that information has been requested from the
appropriate authorities.131
7.3.3 Collective Suspension of Labor Relations/Plant Closing
The submitters allege that the Government of Mexico failed to properly
enforce its labor laws related to plant closures. Temporary plant closings are covered under
LFT Article 427 (Section V), which provides for the temporary suspension of the labor
relationship on the basis of lack of money and the impossibility of obtaining sufficient funds
for the normal continuance of work, if these facts are adequately proved by the employer. The
applicable procedures are provided for under LFT Articles 892-899. Pursuant to LFT Article 429,
employers must cite the reasons for the closing and obtain authorization from the JLCA prior to
making the suspension effective.
As evidence that procedures were not followed in the case of Tarrant, an
audit by the Worker Rights Consortium found:
The JLCA de Puebla confirmed, in an interview with the WRC, that
Tarrant Ajalpán neither requested nor received this approval.132
Regarding Matamoros Garment, the submitters allege that on March 17, 2003,
the factory informed the workers to return on March 20 for their last paychecks because
production was coming to an end.133 To support the submitters' allegation, on March 18, 2003 they
met with a representative from the Municipal Office requesting assistance with the impending
factory closure.134 Two days later, allegedly on March 20, 2003, the company and the JLCA de
Puebla arrived at the factory and informed the workers that they should return on March 24th to
pick up their checks.135 The submitters claim that on March 24, 2003:
The President of the JLCA de Puebla, a CTM representative, and Matamoros management declared the
implementation of an embargo precautorio (precautionary embargo to protect the interest of the
employees by seizing the company's material assets to ensure that workers will receive severance
pay if the factory closes) which will result in a 15 day paro técnico (technical work stoppage),
saying they can make no severance payments because the factory is only temporarily closed….
Management also admitted the factory is financially unstable…. The remaining workers are told
they will be paid 50% of their salaries for the next 15 days and the management would pay the
workers their two weeks' back pay from March 10-17 and March 17-24. The JLCA witnesses the
payments of two weeks' back wages using backdated checks…. On April 8, 2003, the JLCA President
announced a second paro técnico to last until May 2nd. During this period, workers continued
receiving 50% of regular wages.136
In a letter to the U.S. NAO, the submitters further alleged:
Workers never received formal word from either the factory or the JLCA about whether the factory
had indeed permanently closed or if the paro técnico remained ongoing. The workers are
unaware of what date the JLCA considers as the final closure of the factory.137
The submitters concede that the alleged financial difficulties at Matamoros
Garment and the closure decision were reported to workers on March 24, 2003 by the CTM, the JLCA
de Puebla, and plant management. Additionally, during an interview in Mexico City in April 2004
, a representative from the CTM informed the U.S. NAO that the union has a lawsuit currently
pending against the owners of Matamoros Garment due to the plant closing and the payments owed
to workers.138
Although the CTM apparently participated in discussions before the JLCA on
behalf of Matamoros Garment Workers, many of those workers maintain that they were not aware
that they had union representation through the CTM. Thus, the submitters argue that when the
JLCA de Puebla, the CTM, and Matamoros Garment management met and agreed to the embargo
precautorio and subsequent paro técnico, the views of all workers were not represented. In fact
, had the workers petition for recognition of SITEMAG been approved in a timely fashion, those
workers would have had representation of their choosing prior to the plant closing proceedings.
Pursuant to LFT Articles 900-919, collective conflicts of an economic nature
require the following:
the JLCA is obligated to pursue conciliation by agreement of the parties, even as litigation
ensues. This procedure is initiated by a written petition from the employer seeking permission
to close the plant, with documents demonstrating the economic condition of the company and the
necessity of the relief sought . . . . The JLCA convenes a hearing for the company and the union
within 5 days, and appoints a team of expert witnesses independent of the expert witnesses of
the parties. The JLCA's expert witnesses undertake the research and may demand of the parties
reports and information as needed.139
Although a hearing and independent witness research as noted above are
required under the LFT, the U.S. NAO has no indication of whether such a hearing or research
took place in the case of Matamoros Garment, nor what, if any, proceedings took place in the
case of Tarrant. In addition, SITEMAG allegedly met with a representative from the Municipal
Office of Izúcar de Matamoros on March 18, 2003 to ask for assistance with the impeding factory
closure, among other issues.140 The Municipal Office allegedly contacted the JLCA de Puebla who
then informed the Municipal Office that the situation was a "dispute between two unions."141 The
U.S. NAO requested additional information from the Government of Mexico in February and May 2004
concerning the plant closing dates, the steps taken concerning the plant closings according to
provisions of the LFT, including procedures employers must follow and the role of the JLCA in
this process. To date, the Government of Mexico informed the U.S. NAO that information has been
requested from the appropriate authorities. Without additional information, the U.S. NAO is
unable to determine the extent to which Mexico effectively enforced its labor laws related to
this issue.
7.3.4 Severance Compensation
The submitters charge that the Government of Mexico failed to properly
enforce its labor laws related to legally mandated severance pay following the closure of
Matamoros Garment and Tarrant. In an interview with U.S. NAO officials in the state of Puebla
in April 2004, former Matamoros Garment workers stated they have yet to receive their severance
payments.
In addition, as mentioned in Section 6.3.1 of this report, the Tarrant
workers filed an amparo before the Third District Court for union registration, which was later
dismissed because most workers had already severed their labor relationship under the terms of
LFT Article 53 (Section I) by accepting severance payments.142 However, the submitters allege
that Tarrant management harassed and intimidated workers into accepting their severance payments
through the signing of voluntary resignation agreements. In addition, the submitters alleged in
a letter to the U.S. NAO dated December 16, 2003 that four of the fired SUITTAR leaders were
coerced by the plant's lawyer to accept more than their legally entitled severance pay to
encourage them to desist from the appeal.143
Contrary to submitter and worker testimony, Tarrant management informed the U
.S. NAO in an interview in April 2004 that it never forced any workers to sign voluntary
resignation agreements and that all severance and dismissal was done in compliance with the LFT.
Evidence presented to the U.S. NAO from Tarrant management included copies of signed voluntary
resignation agreements dated February 2, 2004, which indicated that workers voluntarily ended
the working relationship and received everything legally owed to them (i.e., salary, vacation
pay and bonuses, overtime pay).144
In response to specific questions posed, the Government of Mexico informed
the U.S. NAO that it has contacted the appropriate authorities for further information
concerning the awarding of severance, recourse available, if any, for workers if they allege
that they were coerced into signing a severance agreement, and the issuance of voluntary
resignation agreements. Concerning Matamoros Garment, testimony from the submitters, workers,
and the union holding the collective bargaining agreement confirm that Matamoros Garment has
major financial difficulties which may explain why workers have yet to receive their legally
mandated severance, and a lawsuit is pending. At Tarrant, given that the Tarrant Union
Executive Committee desisted from the amparo and the majority of workers accepted severance
payments pursuant to LFT Article 53 (Section I), the U.S. NAO cannot determine if the Government
of Mexico failed to effectively enforce the relevant labor laws. However, the issue of workers
being harassed and intimidated into accepting severance and compensation is an area that needs
to be addressed further.
8. Prevention of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
8.1 NAALC Obligations
Article 1 (b) of the NAALC commits each party to promote its labor principles
. Principle 9 covers occupational injuries and illnesses, including prescribing and
implementing standards to minimize the causes of occupational injuries and illnesses.145
Additionally, as noted in Section 6.1 and 7.1 of this report, NAALC Article 3(1) obligates each
Party to promote compliance with and effectively enforce its labor law through appropriate
government action. NAALC Articles 4 and 5 obligate the parties to ensure access for workers to
fair, equitable, and transparent labor tribunal proceedings.
8.2 Mexican Law
8.2.1 Mexican Constitution
Article 123 (XV) of the Mexican Constitution requires an employer to observe
safety and health regulations at its company. This article also calls for the inclusion of
sanctions for occupational safety and health violations.146
8.2.2 Federal Labor Law
The submitters allege that the Government of Mexico failed to enforce its
labor laws to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses, including LFT Articles 51 and 132.
LFT Article 51 states that the following shall constitute grounds for terminating the labor
relationship without liability for the worker:
If the employer … or its top management are guilty in the course of the employment of a
dishonest or dishonorable action, violence, threats, insolence, ill-treatment or the like
towards the worker or his family.147
General Occupational Safety and Health Standards
LFT Article 132 (Section VI) provides that employers shall behave towards the
workers with proper consideration and abstain from ill treatment by work or deed. Section XVI
provides that employers shall equip the factories, workshops, offices, and other places in which
the work is to be performed in accordance with the principles of safety and health to prevent
work accidents and losses to the worker, as well as adopt the necessary measures to assure that
contaminants do not exceed the maximums permitted in the regulations. Section XVII calls for
the adoption of statutory and other suitable measures for the prevention of accidents and
sickness in the work centers and places in which work is performed. Section XXVII calls for
protections for pregnant women in the workplace.
Government Compliance through Inspections
STPS conducts safety and health inspections in the workplace and monitors
proper compliance with labor standards with regard to pollutants in the workplace environment,
personal protective equipment, and accidents in the workplace as set forth in the Reglamento
Federal de Seguridad, Higiene y Medio Ambiente de Trabajo [Federal Regulation on Workplace
Safety, Health, and Environment] and the Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOM) [Mexican official
standards] issued by STPS.148
According to LFT Article 527, STPS through the Dirección General de
Inspección Federal del Trabajo (Bureau of Federal Workplace Inspection) and the Delegaciones
Federales del Trabajo (Federal Labor Branch Offices) located throughout the states, is
responsible for monitoring compliance with labor regulations in the areas of general labor
conditions and general occupational safety and health conditions in firms and establishments
subject to their authority.149 Article 542(II) obligates labor inspectors to inspect enterprises
and establishments periodically. In addition, Article 547 states that inspectors shall be held
liable if they fail to carry out inspections, give false information in reports, or if they
receive directly or indirectly any bribe or gift from the workers or employers.
Reporting Violations
LFT Article 1003 states: "any worker, employer, trade union, federation or
confederation of employers or workers may report violations of the norms to the authorities."
Workers may complain individually or through a union about unsafe work, inaccurate reports, and
joint committee failures to identify hazards or secure abatements.150 Authorities review
complaints along with incident reports and other information to determine whether special
inspections are warranted.151 In March 2001, the Government of Mexico provided information to
the U.S. NAO concerning employer obligations to report occupational injuries and illnesses:
According to provisions of the Social Security Law itself, the employer must notify the Mexican
Institute of Social Security (IMSS) of the accident or illness within a period no longer than 24
hours if the incident occurs in the workplace (SSL, Article 58).152
Workplace Safety and Health Committees
Article 509 provides that "[s]afety and health committees consisting of an
equal number of representatives of the workers and the employer shall be established as found
necessary in every enterprise or establishment, to investigate the causes of accidents and
diseases, proposing preventive measures and enabling compliance therewith." Article
510 states that the committees shall meet during work hours and cannot be paid.
Employee Training
LFT Article 132 Section XV and Article 153 state that employers have an
obligation to provide training to workers.
8.2.3 International Conventions/Treaties Ratified by Mexico
Mexico has ratified ILO Conventions 155, 161, 167, and 170 pertaining to
occupational safety and health matters.153 Mexico also has ratified other international
agreements, such as the Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO), and the
Constitution of the Pan American Health Organization.154
8.3 Analysis
8.3.1 Prevention of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
Concerning government enforcement of occupational safety and health laws, the
submitters alleged a number of worker rights violations at both Matamoros Garment and Tarrant.
Allegations included: a lack of adequate safety equipment (i.e., face masks and gloves); poor
ventilation; occupational injuries (i.e., cuts from knives located on sewing machines, foot pain
, allergies, and respiratory illnesses due to dust and chemicals); occasions on which employers
allegedly intimidated, threatened, verbally abused, and harassed workers; and persistent
unsanitary conditions in the factories' cafeterias.155 To support their allegations, the
submitters presented the U.S. NAO with oral and written testimony, copies of press reports, a
copy of an interim report by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), photos, video testimony showing
alleged injuries to workers, correspondence with clothing labels, and copies of documents and
letters filed with the Government of Mexico.
Concerning the alleged lack of adequate safety equipment for workers, former
workers Jaime Ayala Sanchéz (Matamoros Garment) and Martín Zacatzi Tequextle (Tarrant) presented
written testimony alleging that they and their co-workers were exposed to high volumes of dust
and chemicals from dyes used to color blue jeans, as well as liquids used to remove garment
stains, which allegedly resulted in workers suffering from headaches and respiratory illnesses,
such as asthma.156 Workers from Matamoros Garment and Tarrant also testified to poor ventilation
in the plants.157
The submitters reported that Liliana Tejada Hernández, an assistant
supervisor at Matamoros Garment, allegedly injured her hand while working at a sewing machine,
noting:
Liliana immediately sought medical treatment, only to find that there was no First Aid kit
available. Instead she had to go to the equipment room where she removed the broken needle
herself with a pair of pliers.158
Similarly, Salvador García Sánchez, a former sewer from Tarrant, recounted
his experience when injured at the plant and the authorities' reaction:
I was cut several times and the only thing that they did was send me to the nurse. The only
thing she did was wash my hands and give me a pill for the pain. We had to go back and keep on
working and even if we were hurt, we had to keep up with production. . . . The dye on our hands
could not be removed. When I was working there I got sick.159
In support of Mr. García's allegations, video testimony was presented to the
U.S. NAO showing workers allegedly with permanent blue dye on their hands.160
Concerning allegations of mistreatment, violence, verbal abuse, and
harassment toward workers, Agustina García Reyes stated in written testimony that management at
Matamoros Garment would yell and physically intimidate workers, and fire or suspend workers when
they would stand up for themselves.161 Former Matamoros Garment worker Ricarda Vazquez stated:
A manager at the plant yelled at another worker for being idle - she was waiting for some
production to come down the line - and he threw pieces of cloth at the workers in May 2002.162
Ms. Vazquez also mentioned that union members and activists were harassed
inside and outside the facility and followed to their homes.163 Mr. Zacatzi, former SUITTAR
leader from Tarrant, also recounted his personal experience with mistreatment stating that
management would call workers' names and mock their indigenous heritage.164 Similar allegations
of threats and intimidation also were detailed in the Interim Report by the Worker Rights
Consortium (WRC) based on an investigation at Tarrant.165
Concerning cafeteria conditions at Matamoros Garment, Mr. Ayala stated in
written testimony: "The cafeteria was also in very bad condition and the food was horrible.
During the rainy season, flooding took place in the cafeteria and it was not cleaned."166 Tarrant
workers also described poor sanitation and food quality in their cafeteria in written statements
and in testimony at the U.S. NAO public hearing.167
In contrast to the above testimony, approximately 30 former Tarrant workers,
who met with the U.S. NAO in April 2004 in the state of Puebla, described a different situation.
The group of workers, not affiliated with SUITTAR, informed U.S. NAO officials that they did
indeed have proper safety equipment at all times at the plant, they were not exposed to
hazardous chemicals or dyes, and they were satisfied overall with workplace conditions at the
plant.
Tarrant management asserted that they had operated in compliance with Mexican
occupational safety and health laws. In support, Tarrant management provided the U.S. NAO with
copies of voluntary resignation agreements signed by workers indicating that they did not suffer
from any occupational injuries while employed at the plant.168 During a visit to the Tarrant
plant in the state of Puebla, Tarrant management also provided the U.S. NAO with a document
titled Other Voluntary Benefits to Tarrant México Ajalpán Workers169. The document was offered to
show that management provided workers with a weekly doctor examination for workers that needed
it and an in-plant nurse for emergencies, among other benefits.
A clothing label sourcing garments from Matamoros Garment conducted an
investigation in February 2003 and noted:
Unhealthy cafeteria problems stemmed from the agricultural use of surrounding fields resulting
in flooding of the factory's cafeteria. A professional contractor hired by the company to
construct proper flood prevention barriers has resolved this problem. More importantly, even on
days when flooding did occur, a cleaning crew swept the cafeteria prior to employee lunch breaks.170
While the above appears to support the submitters allegations regarding the
cafeteria conditions at Matamoros Garment, it also appears to indicate that plant management
took steps to resolve the problem.
In the case of the alleged poor cafeteria conditions at Tarrant, management
informed the U.S. NAO that, following a July 8, 2003 agreement between management and workers,
it undertook numerous additional actions, including ensuring that the cafeteria was a clean and
sanitary environment.171 An audit by a clothing label in September 2002 found the factory to be
in satisfactory condition concerning work conditions, employee treatment, and adherence to
international standards.172 The same clothing label informed the U.S. NAO that it interviewed
employees who overwhelmingly denied that physical or verbal abuse occurred at Matamoros Garment.173
With regard to the existence of occupational safety and health committees at
the facilities, during the U.S. NAO Public Hearing and oral interviews in the state of Puebla,
workers from both Matamoros Garment and Tarrant informed the U.S. NAO that no such committees
existed. To support their testimony, Scott Nova from the Workers' Rights' Consortium (WRC)
stated at the hearing:
In the factories we have investigated in-depth, we have yet to see an actual functioning health
and safety committee. All we've seen is either nothing in place or health and safety committees
that are obviously going through the motions and not doing any of the real work that they are
legally obligated to do.174
In written questions submitted to the Government of Mexico, the U.S. NAO made
specific inquiries as to the existence of safety and health committees at Matamoros Garment and
Tarrant. However, to date the Government of Mexico has not provided any information. The non-
existence of such committees would appear to be a violation of LFT Article 509, which calls for
the establishment of safety and health committees at workplaces, composed of workers and
employers, to investigate the causes of accidents and diseases and propose preventive measures
and compliance.
The U.S. NAO has been unable to find any evidence that workers filed formal \
complaints with governmental authorities concerning safety and health conditions at the plants.
During the NAO Public Hearing, CAT President Blanca Velázquez responded to the U.S. NAO's
question as to why workers did not file formal complaints before the Government of Mexico:
Complaints are filed by the workers to the owners. The complaints are not submitted to any
labor ministry or labor authority. . . . 175
Ms. Velázquez offered further reasoning for why workers are reluctant to file
complaints:
Often companies take workers to private doctors, to avoid registering injuries with IMSS. When
injured on the job, one worker was told by her employers, "Don't say anything. If you say
anything, we're going to fire you."176
Despite Ms. Velázquez's testimony, a review of Article 1003 of the LFT
clearly indicates that individual workers or unions may report violations to authorities. And
as previously noted, once government authorities are notified of alleged violations of the LFT,
they would be obligated under the NAALC to "ensure that its competent authorities give due
consideration in accordance with its law to any request by an employer, employee or their
representatives, or other interested person, for an investigation of an alleged violation of the
Party's labor law."177
Although no formal complaints were filed with authorities, workers did
undertake several efforts to bring their concerns to the attention of management, as well as the
local media.178 The U.S. NAO also received credible evidence that Government of Mexico officials
were or should have been aware that workers had concerns about occupational safety and health
conditions at Matamoros Garment and Tarrant. On January 21, 2003 (seven days after a technical
work stoppage), Matamoros Garment management and workers signed an agreement in which the plant
director agreed to improve the cafeteria conditions, although an agreement was not reached on
verbal abuse.179 The submitters allege that officials from the JLCA de Puebla witnessed the
signing of the agreement.180 The submitters further allege that the plant director intimidated
workers into signing the agreement in exchange for SITEMAG signing letters retracting its public
grievances, which they refused to do.181
Almost three months after the signing of the January 21, 2003 agreement, the
workers wrote an April 17, 2003 letter to Mexican President Vicente Fox and Secretary of Labor
Carlos Abascal notifying them of worker rights abuses, including occupational safety and health
violations, such as workers being locked inside the factory, verbal abuse, unhealthy cafeteria
conditions, and intimidation and harassment by management and the CTM.182 In the letter, the
workers also requested that President Fox and Secretary Abascal encourage the Governor of Puebla
to intervene in the issue. In response to specific inquiries from the U.S. NAO regarding
authorities' response to the letter, the Government of Mexico informed the U.S. NAO in June 2004
that it is its policy to forward such documents to the competent authorities.183 However,
specific information, such as whether this particular letter was forwarded to competent Mexican
authorities, to whom, when, and what action was consequently taken, has not yet been provided by
the Government of Mexico.
On July 8, 2003, the Tarrant Workers' Negotiating Committee and Tarrant
management signed an agreement before the JLC de Tehuacán. In June 2004, the Government of
Mexico confirmed the signing of this agreement and informed the U.S. NAO that the
labor conflict at Tarrant was deemed resolved:
the workers and the company reached an agreement before the Local Conciliation Board of Tehuacán
on the company's obligations and their compliance with regard to various benefits such as. . . .
respect for production work; non-aggression toward workers; the right to eat food;
. . . . the length of the workday; . . . . improvement of medical services; fair and dignified
treatment of female employees; improved health services
. . . . 184
However, former Tarrant workers alleged that worker rights violations
continued at the plant after the signing of the agreement - leading to the workers' desire to
form the independent union SUITTAR. In support of the workers' allegations, the submitters
provided the U.S. NAO with a letter from SUITTAR to the Governor of Puebla, dated August 25,
2003 (one month after the signing of the July 8, 2003 agreement), alerting him to alleged
ongoing labor rights violations at Tarrant.185 The alleged ongoing intimidation of more than 300
illegally fired workers is among the complaints listed in the letter, which requests the
Governor's immediate intervention.
In addition to responding to worker complaints, STPS is responsible for
conducting regular and special inspections pursuant to LFT Articles 527 and 541.186 Inspectors
must submit reports following each inspection.187 In addition to ensuring basic regulatory
compliance, inspectors are responsible for monitoring legally required workplace permits along
with employee ability certificates and joint committee operations.188 The law also requires that
inspectors communicate with workers during the course of the inspections.189 IMSS and the
National Advisory Commission on Occupational Safety and Health (Advisory Commission) are two
other key agencies.190
There is conflicting evidence as to whether and to what extent governmental
authorities undertook workplace inspections. Maribel Ramírez Torres testified that, while she
recalls clothing labels conducting inspections at the plant, she did not recall ever seeing
government health and safety inspectors visiting Tarrant.191 Ms. Ramirez emphasized:
We never saw anybody because they never knew what the conditions were. The only way for them to
know about the conditions is if we approached them and told them. Even though we asked, they
never did anything.192
Tarrant management maintains that the Government of Mexico did conduct inspections at the plant:
From July 1, 2000 to February 2, 2004, plant management treated its employees fairly and in compliance with Mexican law. In
fact, Tarrant Mexico Ajalpán management took a number steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment - cooperating
with both government inspections and those conducted by several U.S. retailers. Continuous occupational and health training
was provided to employees as part of the plant's Safety and Health Program. Indeed, inspections were made by Mexican
governmental agencies without further action being taken by them.193
An email from the director of Matamoros Garment to the submitters stated that IMSS had removed 300 of the
factory's machines from the plant in August 2002, eight different government agencies had inspected the plant, and
immigration officials visited the plant three times during 2002-2003.194 An interview between U.S. NAO staff and the CTM
Director General in April 2003 in Mexico City provided corroborating testimony that IMSS had embargoed equipment from
Matamoros Garment.
The U.S. NAO requested specific information from the Government of Mexico concerning occupational safety
and health complaints, inspections and/or reports at Matamoros Garment and Tarrant, but no specific details have been
provided to date. The Government of Mexico provided the U.S. NAO with a copy of its Informe de Labores (Annual Report)
dated September 1, 2003, in which the Bureau of Federal Inspections reported that 203 occupational safety and health
inspections had been conducted that year in the maquiladora industry throughout Mexico.195 However, this report does not
include any information specific to Matamoros Garment or Tarrant - in particular concerning inspections and occupational
safety and health committees, as required under Mexican Law.
The Government of Mexico also provided the U.S. NAO with information on its programs designed to
encourage compliance with occupational safety and health regulations. However, it did not provide any specific indication
as to whether Matamoros Garment and Tarrant participated in these programs.196
9. Findings
This submission involves freedom of association, minimum employment standards, and the prevention of
occupational injuries and illnesses as defined by the NAALC concerning labor law enforcement in the state of Puebla, Mexico.
Pursuant to the NAALC, the U.S. NAO's review has focused on the action or inaction of Mexican governmental authorities, both
federal and state, as regards the effective application of Mexican labor law. The U.S. NAO makes several findings below in
support of its recommendation to the Secretary of Labor.
Freedom of Association
A review of the written documentation and oral testimony, including the decisions of the JLCA de Puebla,
supports the submitters' contention that the rejections of their union registration petitions were based on technical
grounds. Moreover, the JLCA did not inform the workers about any technical deficiencies nor provide them with an
opportunity to correct the errors. Consistent with NAALC Article 5(3), Mexican law affords the opportunity to seek review
of the JLCA decisions through the amparo process. In this case, workers at Matamoros Garment failed to file an appeal of
the JLCA decision and workers at Tarrant withdrew their appeal. Had the workers pursued their rights to appeal, the courts
may well have found in their favor. In fact, the NAO takes note that reviews of recent Mexican court decisions in this area
appear to support efforts on the part of the courts to direct JLCAs to comply with the law.
As justification for the workers not pursuing amparos, the submitters assert, in the case of Matamoros
Garment, that the decision of the JLCA was received late and that it is difficult for workers to find attorneys to assist
them. In the case of Tarrant, the submitters assert that the lack of unemployment insurance and the possibility of being
blacklisted leaves workers with no alternatives but to take severance rather than pursue what could be lengthy and costly
appeals. They also assert that workers are harassed and intimidated into taking severance and generally required to sign
severance agreements when they are initially hired, which are often used against them later. The U.S. NAO acknowledges that
these practices are known to occur in Mexico, but is not persuaded that workers, in the case of Matamoros Garment, were
unable to file an amparo within the allotted time or, in the case of Tarrant, necessarily unable to pursue the appeal
process. The U.S. NAO has no evidence that governmental authorities did not enforce laws against forced severance.
Nonetheless, the U.S. NAO cannot ignore the similarities in this case and previous submissions before it regarding denial of
union registration on what seem to be hyper-technical grounds. The same similarities also appear in recent and ongoing
cases in Mexico as noted by the submitters. The continuing difficulty for independent unions to gain registration rights,
especially within the maquiladora sector, is supported by credible testimony of non-governmental organizations and legal
experts within Mexico. The Government of Mexico itself has on several occasions recognized shortcomings in the union
registration process, and, if corrective actions were taken, the results are not immediately evident. This case provides
ample indication that the matter continues to be of some concern within Mexico and could benefit from further consultations
between the Governments of the United States and Mexico.
The impact of the union registration process on the formation of independent unions presents several
issues that deserve the highest priority in government-to-government consultations. As the ILO has expressed,
administrative formalities should not be used as the equivalent of prior authorization to establish a union and should not
be used to delay or prevent union formation. While the workers in this case did not fully pursue the available appeal
processes, what is supposed to be a mere administrative formality should not be implemented in a way that effectively
obstructs the basic worker right of freedom of association.
The JLCAs have tripartite composition and the union membership tends to come
from the well-established, traditional unions.197 While this may not present an issue when a
worker brings a case as an individual against an employer, it does present an issue of
impartiality when workers seek to form a union to challenge an existing union. It is not
difficult to foresee a potential for conflict of interest if the union representative on the
JLCA considering the petition is a representative of a union affiliated with the union the
workers intend to challenge. This raises issues as to whether Mexico is in conformity with the
obligation of NAALC Article 5(4) to ensure that tribunals are "impartial and independent and do
not have any substantial interest in the outcome of the matter."
Workers in this case and in previous submissions before the U.S. NAO have
alleged that they were unaware that a union existed at their facility until they attempted to
form a union. While STPS maintains a public list of federal union registrations, the list is
not accessible by employer name and does not indicate whether a union exists at a particular
plant. Additionally, workers are not provided with copies of collective bargaining agreements
and are often denied even when requests are made for such documents. The Government of Mexico
committed in the May 18, 2000 Ministerial Consultations Joint Declaration that workers be
provided information pertaining to collective bargaining agreements, which presumably would mean
assuring that workers are provided with a copy of the collective terms covering their employment
or at least an opportunity to view the agreement. Currently, the only effort the U.S. NAO is
aware of in Mexico to assure workers have such access is one on the part of the Federal District
Labor Board. Transparency in the union representation process, internal union democracy,
responsiveness to union membership, and workers' freedom of choice in choosing the union to
represent them (or to choose not to be represented) are important issues raised in this
submission which merit further consultations.
With regard to the JLCA's failure to inform workers of the deficiencies in
their petitions and to provide an opportunity to correct those deficiencies, the U.S. NAO is
unable to determine what the appropriate standard is under Mexican law. There are conflicting
viewpoints among legal experts and Mexican government officials, which have not been clarified
by the information provided by the Government of Mexico. In light of this lack of clarity, as
well as the view of the ILO that union registration processes requiring more than merely
administrative formality are not within the letter of ILO Convention 87, which Mexico has
ratified, further consultations on how the Government of Mexico addresses this matter would be
beneficial.
Minimum Employment Standards
The evidence available to the U.S. NAO concerning the allegations on minimum
employment standards is conflicting. It appears that some workers filed complaints with the
State Attorney General's Office of Puebla alleging failure to pay proper wages and that these
complaints are still pending after more than a year. In addition, reinstallation demands on the
basis of illegal firings, as well as requests for back wages were also submitted to government
officials on behalf of Tarrant workers. Information from clothing labels supported the
submitters' allegations that wage and overtime payments were not in compliance with the law, but
the information also supported that the matters were satisfactorily resolved. There is some
evidence that labor authorities were present at meetings attended by workers and the employers
and that officials witnessed the signing of documents intended to settle disputes over wages and
overtime. However, rather than supporting submitters' allegations that authorities did not
enforce the law, their presence when workers accepted payments may well indicate their belief
that no additional enforcement efforts were necessary. The submitters assert that the employers
reneged on the promises, but, although there is some evidence that workers attempted to bring
their concerns to the attention of governmental officials, it is not clear to what extent
workers pursued these matters by filing formal complaints with relevant labor authorities. The
U.S. NAO is currently awaiting further information from the Government of Mexico on these
matters. At this time, the U.S. NAO is unable to determine what information the governmental
authorities were aware of and what actions, if any, had been taken. Further consultations with
the relevant authorities will help clarify what transpired and whether appropriate governmental
enforcement efforts were undertaken.
Prevention of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
The workers in this case presented no evidence that they filed formal
complaints with governmental authorities concerning occupational injuries and illnesses. In
view of this failure, the U.S. NAO cannot find that the Government of Mexico failed to enforce
labor laws encompassing requirements to respond to worker complaints. When utilizing
international processes to raise allegations that domestic authorities have failed to enforce
the law, the credibility of the allegations would seem stronger if workers are able to show that
they have attempted to utilize available domestic processes. Such action would seem to be
beneficial to individual workers and to the domestic processes, as well as enhancing the value
of international procedures.
Nonetheless, there is credible evidence that workers made authorities aware
of safety and health concerns in ways other than formal complaints. Mexican authorities also
may have been aware of relevant safety and health conditions through periodic inspections
performed under the law. The U.S. NAO is unable to draw definitive conclusions on these matters
because it is still awaiting additional relevant information from the Government of Mexico.
Further consultations may help shed light on how governmental authorities responded to the
information provided by workers and the efficacy of inspection processes. The availability of
information on workplace inspections conducted, the processes utilized for such inspections, the
results of any such inspections, employer responses to any violations, and any follow-up by
governmental authorities to assure compliance are crucial to effective consultations. The
United States, Mexico, and Canada have established a tri-national working group on occupational
safety and health that is tasked with reviewing relevant issues and providing recommendations to
the governments. Further consultations would help determine whether the working group is an
appropriate mechanism for reviewing these matters or whether they are better dealt with
separately.
A review of all of the issues raised by this submission indicates a general
lack of knowledge and transparency about legal requirements, processes for filing complaints,
government inspection processes and reporting requirements, and available governmental
assistance. Further government-to-government consultations on means for educating workers,
employers, and government officials, and increasing transparency with respect to legal
requirements, processes followed, and results of enforcement efforts would greatly enhance
public awareness in Puebla, as well as elsewhere within Mexico.
During the submission review process, the U.S. NAO requested consultations
with the Mexican NAO under Article 21 of the NAALC with a view towards engaging the Government
of Mexico in effective and frank consultations that would lead to a full understanding of the
relevant issues and potential resolution of the submission. Regrettably, the Mexican NAO
declined the request of the U.S. NAO to arrange meetings with the various authorities in Mexico
responsible for enforcement of the relevant labor laws and limited contact to responding in
writing to written questions submitted by the U.S. NAO. While written exchanges are important
to the consultations process, limiting consultations to written communications is not the most
effective method for successful consultations. As NAALC Article 22(3) states: "The consulting
Parties shall make every attempt to resolve the matter through consultations under this Article,
including through the exchange of sufficient publicly available information to enable a full
examination of the matter."
10. Recommendation
Accordingly, the U.S. NAO recommends ministerial consultations with the
Government of Mexico pursuant to Article 22 of the NAALC.
Lewis Karesh
Acting Secretary
U.S. National Administrative Office
August 3, 2004
Endnotes
1. 59 Fed. Reg. 16660-16662 (1994).
2. 69 Fed. Reg. 6691 (2004).
3. In a June 1, 2004 letter to the U.S. NAO, the Tarrant Apparel Group of Los Angeles, California notes that Tarrant Mexico S.R. de C.V. is one of the parent company's indirect subsidiaries.
4. NAALC, Annex 1.
5. NAALC, art. 2.
6. NAALC, art. 3.
7. Principle 1 deals with freedom of association and protection of the right to organize; principle 2 deals with the right to bargain collectively; principle 3 focuses on the right to strike.
8. These documents are on file with the U.S. NAO.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. 69 Fed. Reg. 9845-9846 (2004).
13. Federal Labor Law (Ormond Beach, FL: Foreign Tax Law Publishers, Inc., trans., 1995). This English translation of the LFT will be used throughout the report with exceptions to be noted.
14. Labor Relations Law in North America (Washington, DC: Secretariat of the Commission for Labor Cooperation, 2000) 145. Copies of this book are available at: www.naalc.org (also available in Spanish and French). [hereinafter Commission, Labor Relations Law].
15. Ibid., 146.
16. Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos). [hereinafter Political Constitution]. Cámara de Diputados del Honorable Congreso de la Unión de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos. Available: http://www.cddhcu.gob.mx/leyinfo/1/ [March 30, 2004] English translation by Historical Text Archive Ron Pamachena available at: http://www.historicaltextarchive.com [March 30, 1994]. This English translation of the Mexican Constitution will be used throughout the report with exceptions to be noted.
17. See Section 5 of this report for additional information on maquiladoras.
18. Commission, Labor Relations Law, 98.
19. Ibid.,156.
20. See Anna Torriente, Study of Mexican Supreme Court Decisions Concerning the Rights of State Employees to Organize in the States of Jalisco and Oaxaca (Study funded by the U.S. NAO: November 11, 1996) 8. [hereinafter Torriente, Study of Mexican Supreme Court Decisions].
21. See Plant Closings and Labor Rights: A Report to the Council of Ministers by the Secretariat of the Commission for Labor Cooperation (Washington, DC: Secretariat of the Commission for Labor Cooperation, 1997) 48. See also Article 1 of Mexico's Ley de Amparo (Amparo Law in Mexico) and Articles 103 and 107 (Section V - D) of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States. [hereinafter Commission, Plant Closings and Labor Rights].
22. Commission, Labor Relations Law, 154.
23. Ibid., 155.
24. Ibid., 101.
25. Ibid.
26. Reglamento de la Procuraduría Federal de la Defensa del Trabajo (Mexico: Published in the Diario Oficial, December 14, 1999). Available at: www.stps.gob.mx [as of 17 May 2004]. Unofficial English translation summary provided by U.S. NAO.
27. Ibid.
28. Ibid.
29. International Trade: Mexico's Maquiladora Decline Affects U.S. - Mexico Boarder Communities and Trade; Recovery Depends in Part on Mexico's Actions (Washington, DC: GAO Report, July 2003) 3.
30.M. Angeles Villarreal, Mexico's Maquiladora Industry, Vol. 2 No. 4, Mexico Trade and Law Reporter 17, 17 (1992).
Benjamin Aguilera, David K. Armstrong, and Gerard Morales, An Overview of the Maquiladora Program (1994) 8.
32. Dr. Néstor de Buen Lozano and Lic. Carlos E. Buen Unna, A Primer on Mexican Labor Law (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, 1991) 3.
33. R. Leticia Cuevas, Analysis of Submissions Nos. 940003 and 940004 Brought Before: The U.S. National Administrative Office of the United States Department of Labor (January 21, 1995) 55. [hereinafter Cuevas, Analysis of Submission Nos. 940003 and 940004].
34. Post restructuring initiatives of the Fox Administration in Mexico, SECOFI no longer exists, but responsibility for its former mandate now lie with the Secretaría de Economía.
35. Cuevas, Analysis of Submissions Nos. 940003 and 940004 (January 21, 1995) 55.
36. Ibid., 55-56.
37. Ibid., 56.
38. Torriente, Study of Mexican Supreme Court Decisions, 40.
39. See Public Transcript from the 1996 NAALC Third Seminar on Procedures For Registering Labor Unions (Monterrey, Nuevo Léon: February 28-March 1, 1996) 50. Regarding the use of the word "may" in Article 366, during the 1996 NAALC's Third Seminar on Procedures for Registering Labor Unions, the former Director General for Registration of Labor Associations from Mexico's Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) stated, "It could be assumed that the word "may", which appears in article 366, when referring to the denial of registration, can be interpreted as if the article were granting the registering authority a discretionary power. That is not the case. This article has always been interpreted as it should be, considering that the cases in which registration is denied have to do with the essential requirements pertaining to the existence of the union, and those which prove that it has been formed, in which case the only logical action would be for the registering authority to deny the application for registration…. So the word "may" is not actually empowering, or mandatory - even on legal grounds -, but a question of exercising common sense."
40. See Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO concerning U.S. Submission 940003 and 940004, dated February 3, 1995, on file at the U.S. NAO.
41. Francisco Breña, Mexican Labor Law Summary (Mexico City: Breña y Asociados. S.C., 2002) 174.
42. Torriente, Study of Mexican Supreme Court Decisions, 8-9.
43. Ibid.
44. See U.S. NAO Report of Review 9901 (TAESA) 18.
45. Francisco Breña, Mexican Labor Law Summary (Mexico City: Breña y Asociados. S.C., 2002) 35.
46. Ibid., 45.
47. See U.S. NAO Report of Review 9901 (TAESA) 19.
48. See Political Constitution, art. 133.
49. See Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO concerning U.S. Submission 940003 and 940004, dated February 3, 1995.
50. Interview with former Matamoros Garment workers Augustina Reyes and Jaime Ayala in Izúcar de Matamoros, Puebla State, on April 26, 2004.
51. Interview with Mario Alberto Sanchez Mondragon, CTM General Secretary on April 23, 2004 in Mexico City.
52. JLCA de Puebla's SITEMAG union registration denial, March 26, 2003.
53. Testimony of Maribel Ramirez Torrez, U.S. NAO Public Hearing on U.S. 2003-01, April 1, 2004, Washington, D.C.
54. U.S. NAO meeting with management of Tarrant México, Tehuacán, Puebla State, Mexico, April 27, 2004. Separately, the Government of Mexico informed the U.S. NAO that the union holding the collective bargaining agreement at Tarrant is the Sindicato Juvenil de Trabajadores y Empleados de la Industria Textil en General con sus Derivados, Corte, Confección, Bordados y Similares de Republica Mexicana union.
55. The JLCA de Puebla's SUITTAR union registration denial, October 6, 2003.
56. Appendix A to the November 5, 2003 amendment to U.S. Submission 2003-01.
57. Ibid.
58. Ibid.
59. Interview of Mexican labor lawyer Francisco Breña in Mexico City on April 22, 2004 and interview of JLCA del Distrito Federal President Lic. Jesus Campos Linas in Mexico City on April 22, 2004.
60. Mexican Government response of June 2, 2004 to questions posed by the U.S. NAO on February 5 and May 7, 2004.
61. Mexican Government response of February 3, 2004 to the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association re: Case No. 2282 on Matamoros Garment S.A. case.
62. ILO Committee on Freedom of Association Definitive Report on Case 2282 concerning Matamoros Garment, June 22, 2004.
63. Ibid., paragraph 249.
64. Digest of Decisions and Principles of the Freedom of Association Committee of the Governing Body of the ILO, 4th Edition, paragraph 244, 1996.
65. See U.S. NAO Report on Ministerial Consultations on U.S. NAO #940003, June 4, 1996, 7-14.
66. See Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO dated June 2, 2004 on file at the U.S. NAO.
67. Written testimony of Martin Zacatzi , submitted for the U.S. NAO Public Hearing on U.S. Submission 2003-01, April 1, 2004. Unofficial English translation provided by the U.S. NAO.
68. See U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Third Amendment - Report of Workers' Labor Rights Violations at Tarrant de México, February 6, 2004) 11.
69. See Report of Review for U.S. NAO Submission 940001 and 940002, October 12, 1994, 30.
70. See Report of Review for U.S. NAO Submission 940003, April 11, 1995, 26.
71. See testimony of Gabriela Tejeda Hernandez, in the February 25, 2003 complaint submitted to the State Attorney General's Office of Puebla (Appendix M).
72. Letters containing two sets of questions from the U.S. NAO to the Mexican NAO dated February 5, 2004 and May 7, 2004 (on file in English and Spanish with the U.S. NAO).
73. See U.S. NAO Submission 2003-01, page 43 (Appendix I).
74. Copies of these letters are on file at the U.S. NAO.
75. Copies of these documents are on file at the U.S. NAO.
76. NAALC, Annex 1.
77. Ibid.
78. Commission, Plant Closings and Labor Rights, 42-43.
79. ILO Conventions ratified by Mexico (www.ilo.org).
80. U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Appendix P).
81. Ibid., (Appendix B).
82. Written testimony from Mr. Ayala on file at the U.S. NAO. Mr. Ayala also was interviewed by U.S. NAO staff in the state of Puebla in April 2004. The submitters presented copies of pay stubs that showed that some workers were being paid 39 pesos daily during that time period. Though it is difficult to determine the exact profession of the workers from the pay stubs provided, as of January 2003, the general minimum wage in Puebla State (Zone C) was 40.30 pesos daily. In addition, the daily minimum professional wages in pesos for Sewers/Seamstresses in garment work in Puebla State (Zone C), in factories or workshops was 52.10 pesos daily. See Salarios mínimos vigentes a partir del 1o. de enero del año 2003 (Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social - STPS and the Comisión Nacional de los Salarios Mínimos - CNSM). See also www.conasami.gob.mx.
83. Ibid. Additional written testimony from Matamoros Garment Workers can be found in U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Appendix P).
84. Public Hearing Transcript of U.S. Submission 2003-01(www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/nao/submissions/2003-01Transcript.htm).
85. Document on file at the U.S. NAO titled Carta Convenio Celebrado Entre los Trabajadores de Matamoros Garment y Matamoros Garment dated January 21, 2003, 1.
86. Ibid.
87. The Pliego Petitorio is on file at the U.S. NAO.
88. Document filed before the JLC de Tehuacán dated July 8, 2003 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
89. U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Appendix E).
90. Chronology of Events - Matamoros Garment written by the Submitters of U.S. Submission 2003-01 (on file at the U.S. NAO) 4.
91. Email from a clothing label to the Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (CAT) dated February 13, 2003 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
92. Email from a clothing label to the CAT dated February 12, 2003 (on file at the U.S. NAO). The Submitters allege that the JLCA de Puebla witnessed 2-3 weeks of back wages owed.
93. Ibid.
94. Letter from a clothing label to the U.S. NAO dated March 23, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
95. Letter from a clothing label to the U.S. NAO dated March 31, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
96. Ibid.
97. U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Appendix N).
98. Ibid., (Appendix I - letter dated April 17, 2003).
99. Ibid., (Appendix H - letter dated March 18, 2003).
100. Letters dated August 25, 2003, September 11, 2003, March 4, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
101. Letter dated March 18, 2003 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
102. Letter from SITEMAG to Puma dated January 13, 2003 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
103. U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Appendix P).
104. Letter from the Municipal Office in Izúcar de Matamoros to US Leap dated March 25, 2003 (on file at the U.S. NAO). Unofficial English translation provided by the U.S. NAO.
105. Ibid.
106. Letter from the Submitters of U.S. Submission 2003-01 to the U.S. NAO dated December 16, 2003 (on file at the U.S. NAO). Pursuant to LFT Article 85 wages shall never be less than the amount fixed by the LFT as a minimum. LFT Article 88 states that the intervals between paydays shall in no case exceed one week (in the case of persons engaged in manual work) or 15 days (in the case of all other workers).
107. Anna Torriente, Minimum Employment Standards in Mexico (1997).
108. See U.S. NAO questions to the Government of Mexico dated May 7, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
109. See Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO dated June 2, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
110. U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Appendix N). Unofficial English translation provided by the U.S. NAO.
111. See U.S. NAO questions to the Government of Mexico dated February 5, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
112. Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO dated June 2, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
113. Ibid.
114. U.S. NAO interview with former SUITTAR leaders in Puebla State in April 2004.
115. Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO dated June 2, 2004.
116. Ibid.
117. Though the issue of dismissals for union activity was considered in Section 6 of this report, it will be briefly discussed in this section as well because it also raises minimum employment standards issues in addition to freedom of association.
118. Written testimony from Agustina García Reyes submitted to the U.S. NAO in March 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO). Unofficial English translation provided by the U.S. NAO. Ms. García was also one of the leaders of SITEMAG.
119. U.S. NAO Public Hearing Transcript for U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Panel II -Worker Testimony).
120. Tarrant management informed the U.S. NAO in a letter dated June 1, 2004 that Tarrant Mexico operated from July 1, 2000-February 2, 2004 (letter on file at the U.S. NAO).
121. U.S. NAO interview with Tarrant management in April 2004 in the state of Puebla.
122. As mentioned in Section 6 of this report, pursuant to LFT Article 47, employers shall serve written notice on the employee indicating the date of termination of his contract and the reason or reasons. LFT Article 47 also states that failure by the employer to notify the worker or the JLCA shall be sufficient grounds to consider that the dismissal was not justified.
123. U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Third Amendment - Report of Workers' Labor Rights Violations at Tarrant dated February 6, 2004, Appendices 10-12).
124. Letter from a clothing label to the U.S. NAO dated March 31, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
125. Public Hearing Transcript for U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Panel II - Worker Testimony).
126. LFT Article 947 states: "if the employer should refuse to submit its differences to arbitration or to accept the award made, the Board shall order that the worker be indemnified in the amount of three months' wages". For further discussion of this issue see Breña Garduño, Francisco, Mexican Labor Law Summary - Third Edition (Mexico City: Breña y Asociados. S.C., 2002) 305.
127. A copy of the petition is located in U.S. NAO Submission 2003-01 (See Tarrant Legal Summary and Analysis - Annex 12).
128. Ibid. Unofficial English translation provided by the U.S. NAO.
129. Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO dated June 2, 2004.
130. Ibid.
131. Ibid.
132. See Interim Report: Worker Rights Consortium Inquiry into Allegations of Labor Rights Violations at Tarrant Ajalpán (Worker Rights Consortium: September 15, 2003) 6.
133. Chronology of Events at Matamoros Garment submitted to the U.S. NAO by the Submitters.
134. Ibid.
135. Ibid.
136. Ibid.
137. See letter from submitters to the U.S. NAO dated December 16, 2003 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
138. The Government of Mexico confirmed that the Sindicato Francisco Villa de la Industria Textil y Conexos (CTM affiliated) holds the collective bargaining agreement at Matamoros Garment in a letter to the U.S. NAO in June 2004.
139. Commission, Plant Closings and Labor Rights, 47.
140. Chronology of Events at Matamoros Garment submitted to the U.S. NAO by the Submitters.
141. Ibid.
142. LFT art. 53 (Section I) states: "cause for termination of an employment relationship is based on mutual consent of the parties."
143. See letter from the submitters to the U.S. NAO dated December 16, 2003.
144. See redacted copy of voluntary resignation agreements on file at the U.S. NAO.
145. NAALC, Annex I.
146. See U.S. NAO Report of Review 9901 (TAESA), 59.
147. LFT, art. 51 (Section II).
148. See Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO, dated March 2001, concerning U.S. Submission 2000-01.
149. Ibid.
150. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor & General Directorate of Medicine & Safety in the Workplace, Mexican Secretariat of Labor and Social Security, A Comparison of Occupational Safety and Health Programs in the United States and Mexico: An Overview, II-11 (1992).
151. Ibid., II-4, 5.
152. See Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO submitted in March 2001 concerning U.S. Submission 2000-01.
153. Ibid.
154. Ibid.
155. Additional safety and health violations were submitted to the U.S. NAO following the filing of U.S. Submission 2003-01. See Public Hearing Testimony for U.S. Submission 2003-01.
156. See unofficial English translation summary of written testimony from Jaime Ayala Sanchez and Martín Zacatzi Tequextle.
157. See U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Appendices A, B, and worker testimony from the U.S. NAO Public Hearing).
158. Matamoros Garment Campaign (March 14, 2003) written by the Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador (on file at the U.S. NAO).
159. See Transcript of Public Hearing on U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Panel II - worker testimony).
160. See video of Tarrant workers on file at the U.S. NAO.
161. See U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Appendix B). Ms. Garcia was also interviewed by the U.S. NAO in Puebla State in April 2004.
162. Ibid (Appendix A).
163. Ibid.
164. See written testimony from Martin Zacatzi on file at the U.S. NAO.
165. Interim Report: Worker Rights Consortium Inquiry into Allegations of Labor Rights Violations at Tarrant Ajalpán (Worker Rights Consortium), September 15, 2003. For a copy of the report please visit www.workersrights.org. See also U.S. Submission 2003-01. Twenty-four employees were interviewed by the WRC.
166. See written testimony from Jaime Ayala on file at the U.S. NAO.
167. See U.S. Submission 2003-01 and the public hearing transcript for U.S. Submission 2003-01.
168. See document on file at the U.S. NAO.
169. See document on file at the U.S. NAO.
170. Letter from a clothing label to the U.S. NAO dated March 23, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
171. Letter from Tarrant management to the U.S. NAO dated June 1, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
172. Letter from a clothing label to the U.S. NAO dated March 23, 2004.
173. Ibid.
174. See Public Hearing Transcript for U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Panel III).
175. Unofficial English translation summary of testimony from Blanca Velázquez. See Transcript of Public Hearing on U.S. NAO Submission 2003-01.
176. Ibid.
177. NAALC, art. 3(2).
178. See letter from the submitters to the U.S. NAO dated December 16, 2003 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
179. See agreement on file at the U.S. NAO.
180. See Chronology of Events - Matamoros Garment on file at the U.S. NAO.
181. Ibid.
182. Matamoros Garment allegedly shut down production one month earlier on March 24, 2003. See copy of letter in U.S. Submission 2003-01 (Appendix I).
183. See Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO dated June 2, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
184. Ibid.
185. See letter on file at the U.S. NAO.
186. Regular Inspections: initial (first-time), periodic (12 month intervals), and Verification (conducted when necessary to establish compliance with safety and health measures or orders issued previously). Special Inspections: conducted when labor authorities know of any potential violation of the labor laws; a review of documentation submitted in order to obtain authorizations discloses potential irregularities on the part of the employer; the labor authorities know of accidents or damage that have occurred at any workplace; on a regular inspection visit the employer visited provided false information or behaved with willful misrepresentation, bad faith, or violence; or the labor authorities know that there is imminent danger to the physical integrity or health of the workers. Information taken from the Government of Mexico's responses (2000-01) to the U.S. NAO and the Reglamento General para la Inspección y Aplicación de Sanciones por Violaciones a la Legislación Laboral (R.G.I.A.S.V.L.L) [General Regulations for Inspection and Imposition of Sanctions for Violations of Labor Laws].
187. See Occupational Safety and Health Comparison (Washington, DC: 1999) 76.
188. Ibid., 76. See also Reglamento general para la inspección y applicación de sanciones por violaciones a la legislación laboral (R.G.I.A.S.V.L.L.), D.O., 6 de Julio de 1997 (Mex.), art. 9.
189. See U.S. NAO Report of Review for Submission 2000-01, 72.
190. See Occupational Safety and Health Comparison (Washington, DC: 1999) 69.
191. A clothing label informed the U.S. NAO in a letter dated March 31, 2004, that when the company was going to conduct an independent investigation at the plant concerning allegations of worker rights violations, Tarrant informed the company (September 8, 2004) that Tarrant's business relationship with the company would come to an end - thus violating the company's Term of Engagement. As a result, in October 2004 the label formally ceased doing business with the Tarrant facility. It is unclear to the U.S. NAO as to why Tarrant management would not allow the company to conduct an investigation at the plant.
192. See Transcript of Public Hearing on U.S. NAO Submission 2003-01.
193. Letter from Tarrant Apparel Group to the U.S. NAO dated June 1, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
194. Email on file at the U.S. NAO between the submitters and the director of Matamoros Garment.
195. Document on file at the U.S. NAO.
196. One program is the Campaign for Responsible Management and Employees in Workplace Safety and Health, designed to provide technical assistance to companies developing workplace safety and health programs. In the state of Puebla, 67 voluntary agreements were signed with companies to maintain compliance with regulations and to achieve excellence. See Government of Mexico responses to the U.S. NAO dated June 2, 2004 (on file at the U.S. NAO).
197. The U.S.NAO requested information from the Mexican NAO as to the specific affiliation of the JLCA members responsible for the decisions relevant to this submission, but did not receive a response.
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