Industrial Relations and Workers' Rights

Occupational Safety and Health

Migrant Workers

Workplace Issues

Workforce Development

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND WORKERS' RIGHTS

Trinational Conference on the Labor Dimensions of Corporate Social Responsibility in North America - March 30-31, 2005, in Ottawa, Canada.
The Government of Canada hosted a conference on the labor aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in North America. The two-day event gathered government, business, and labor representatives, non-governmental organizations and academic experts from Canada, Mexico and the United States to promote awareness of the benefits and challenges of labor-related CSR initiatives in North America. Private sector representatives from each of the three countries provided examples of best practices in the field of CSR. The potential roles of governments in supporting initiatives in CSR were reviewed as well. Additionally, representatives from the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations (UN) discussed multilateral initiatives to promote CSR in the North American context. For more information, visit www.naalccsrconference.ca.

Seminar on Industrial Relations in Chile and the United States - December 17, 2004, Santiago, Chile. A delegation consisting of representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, business, and labor participated in a seminar showcasing the current system of industrial relations and practices in the two countries. This event was the first formal cooperative activity under the Labor Cooperation Mechanism of the U.S.-Chile FTA.

The Labor Boards in North America Trilateral Seminar – March 20, 2003, Monterrey, Mexico. The seminar grew out of ministerial agreements between the Governments of the United States, Mexico and Canada on public submission 9702 (Han Young), 9703 (ITAPSA) and 9901 (TAESA). The three submissions raised issues concerning freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively in Mexico. Consistent with the ministerial agreements, the seminar provided an opportunity for U.S. experts representing the National Mediation Board, the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Board and their counterparts from Mexico and Canada to discuss labor law and practice governing labor boards and their members and officials; their structure and responsibilities; the rules and procedures to assure their impartiality; their role in the process of gaining the right to a collective bargaining contract; and the types of unions and their relevant rights. The panelists and the audience, which included representatives of non-governmental organizations and international labor rights activists exchanged views regarding labor boards and best practices in the three countries.

The Right to Organize and Bargain Collectively in Canada and the United States - February 1-2, 2001, Toronto, Canada. The conference was cosponsored by the U.S. and Canadian National Administrative Offices and was in part responsive to U.S. public submission 9804 regarding the collective bargaining rights of rural route mail couriers in Canada. The conference explored the legislative framework in both countries that protects these rights, including limitations to and expansions of these rights. Also discussed was the impact of international instruments, including the NAALC and the ILO, on these rights.

Seminar on Freedom of Association in Mexico - June 23, 2000, Tijuana, Mexico. This seminar was held for the purpose of disseminating information on such themes as freedom of association, the registration of trade unions, mechanisms for gaining and challenging title to the collective bargaining contract, and related procedures, including worker protections during organizing, under the laws and regulations of Mexico. The seminar was in accordance with the ministerial agreement for U.S. NAO Submission Nos. 9702 and 9703.

Conference on Contracting Out - December 7-8, 1998, Ottawa, Canada. The purpose of this two-day conference on contracting out was to enable business, labor and government representatives to share information on specific examples and repercussions of new forms of employment in the context of the industrial relations system in place in each of the three countries. The conference is also designed to stimulate discussion on ways of adapting the industrial relations system to the new world of work.

Fourth Major Conference on Labor Relations - October 29, 1998, Washington, DC at American University. This two-day conference examined the operations of multinationals through direct interaction between union and employer labor relations professionals from the three countries. The goal of this conference was the utilization of new, innovative procedures for the purpose of creating a dialogue between management and labor, and examining labor management processes in the three countries. The topics discussed included the manner in which national legal structures and customs, as well as a country’s political and economic environment, affect labor relations in the three countries; the manner in which a multinational’s labor relations operations reflect the diversity of different countries while maintaining international uniformity; difference in production process that are the subject to negotiation, and difference in negotiated wages, employee benefits and job security.

International Treaties and Constitutional Provisions Protecting Freedom of Association - December 4, 1997 in Baltimore, Maryland. Freedom of association issues were raised in U.S. NAO Submission No. 9601, which led to ministerial consultations. Pursuant to the consultations, the Departments of Labor of Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. agreed to exchange sufficient publicly available information to permit a full examination of the issues raised in the submission, which included the December conference.

Industrial Relations for the 21st Century - March 18-20, 1996, Montreal, Canada. Representatives from labor, business, academia and government of the three countries met for the Third Conference on Labor Law and Industrial Relations. The topics covered in plenary sessions were: Industrial Relations Systems, Adjustment to Change; Workplace Practices for the 21st Century; Directions for Public Policy, the Role of Government in Industrial Relations. There were several workshops addressing the issues of Globalization and Industrial Relations, Freedom of Association/Right to Organize in North America, and Gender Equality in the workplace: The Industrial Relations Perspective.

Labor Law and Freedom of Association - September 20-21, 1995, Washington, D.C. This workshop was a follow-up to the March 1995 “Workshop on the Right to Organize and Freedom of Association.” The workshop allowed government experts to further develop their understanding of information exchange during the earlier workshop.

Equality in the Workplace - June 21-22, 1995, Mexico City, Mexico. The two-day workshop included a series of presentations and discussions regarding legislation and program initiatives in eliminating discrimination in hiring and promoting (employment equity), pay discrimination (pay equity) and sexual harassment (including human rights, labor standards legislation and legal recourse).

Labor Law and Freedom of Association Workshop - March 27-28, 1995, Washington, D.C. This government-to-government workshop was designed to address issues of industrial relations raised in the two submissions received by the U.S. NAO. The goal was to commence an open discussion between the countries and provide an opportunity to exchange information on the application and implementation of each country’s labor laws in the areas of freedom of association and the right to organize.

Conference on Labor Law and Industrial Relations - September 19-20, 1994, Washington, D.C. Papers prepared by the moderators of the June 26-30, workshops formed the basis for this conference. Representatives of labor, management, government, the legal community, and academics from the three countries attended. Several articles, including selected papers presented at the conference, appeared in the Bureau of National Affairs publication Daily Labor Report.

Workshops on Labor Law and Practice - June 26-30, 1994, La Jolla, California. The workshops were organized under three general heading: "From Crisis to Cooperation," "Labor Management Cooperation," and "Innovations in Collective Bargaining." Representatives from government, labor, business and academia examined case studies of "best practices" in labor-management relations.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

Second Chair’s Meeting of the Trinational Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Working Group - August 25, 2003, Mexico City. Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA John Henshaw met with the other leaders of the Working Group, Dr. Alberto Aguilar Salinas, Mexican director general for workplace safety and health, and Gerry Blanchard, Canadian director general for operations. The working group leaders acknowledged the accomplishments of the four subgroups—Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems and Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), Handling of Hazardous Substances, Inspector and Technical Assistance Staff Training, and the development of the Trinational Web Page. The leaders also agreed to possible future cooperative activities, including: a best-practice workshop on ergonomics in the automotive sector; recognition of companies with effective safety and health management systems; consideration of a globally harmonized system for the classification and labeling of chemicals; and training Mexican inspectors and technical assistance staff on machine guarding and pressure vessels and boilers. For more information, see the News Release.

Technical Seminar on Manufacturing of the Trinational Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Working Group - Subgroup on Training and Technical Assistance - June 16-17, 2003, Mexico City. Members of the subgroup on training and technical assistance took part in this two-day government-to-government technical workshop on manufacturing, which provided an overview of the manufacturing sectors in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and a forum through which to discuss hazards, standards, commonalities and compliance assistance - specifically in the automotive manufacturing sector. Officials carried out a worksite visit to the Ford plant in Cuautitlán - which coincided with the 100th anniversary of Ford. Next steps were discussed, including a potential trinational workshop on issues of ergonomics. For more information, see the related News Release.

Technical Workshop on Management Systems and Voluntary Protection Programs of the Trinational Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Working Group – Subgroup on Training and Technical Assistance - March 10-12, 2003, El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. This was the first formal meeting of one of the four subgroups of the government-to-government OSH Working Group. The delegations discussed best practices and lessons learned from all three countries on building cooperation and partnership with companies, and their experiences in implementing their voluntary programs and occupational safety and health management systems. The subgroup agreed on key elements for an effective occupational safety and health management system, including: management commitment and responsibility, employee involvement and responsibility, worksite analysis and approaches, hazard/risk prevention and control, and training. It also established criteria for recognizing best practices in excellence in workplace safety and health programs, including application and evaluation processes, criteria to participate, and a recognition strategy. The subgroup participated in site visits of companies for medium sized businesses in Mexico and construction in Texas. For more information, see the related News Release.

The Trilateral Working Group on Occupational Safety and Health, established by the U.S., Mexico and Canada, pursuant to the Ministerial Consultations Joint Declaration, signed on June 11, 2002 by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and Mexico Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare Carlos Abascal Carranza, met on July 8 and 9, 2002 in Mexico City. At this initial meeting, the Working Group, composed of government experts on occupational safety and health, discussed and reviewed issues raised in public communications (U.S. 9702, 9703, 9901 and 2000-1, and MEX 9804) filed with the U.S. and Mexican governments respectively under the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC). The Working Group also established technical expert subgroups to foster ongoing cooperation by the three governments in four key areas of occupational safety and health: handling of hazardous substances; safety and health management systems and voluntary protection programs; training of inspectors and technical assistance staff; and the development of a tri-national web page for ongoing exchanges of information and best practices. In addition to issues raised in public communications, the Working Group will discuss and formulate technical recommendations for consideration by the governments, develop and evaluate technical cooperation projects aimed at improving occupational safety and health in the workplace, and identify other occupational safety and health issues appropriate for bilateral and tri-lateral collaboration. The tri-lateral Working Group is chaired by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, the Mexican Director General for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Director General of Operations of the Labour Program of Human Resources Canada.

Conference on Safety and Health in the Workplace in North America - May 17-19, 2000, Mexico City, Mexico. The objective of this conference was to highlight the importance of the different elements of safety and health in the administration of companies and to exchange experiences in specific fields in order to promote a better preventionist culture. Topics discussed included the globalization of safety and health in the workplace, methodologies for the analysis of dangers in the workplace, the investment and administration of companies in the application of safety and health, the importance of safety and health inspections, and preventive medical services in the workplace.

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) - May 15-19, 2000. For the fourth consecutive year, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada participated in a joint North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. The purpose of the week was to promote occupational health and safety throughout North America. The theme for the year 2000 was "Work Safely for a Healthy Future," advancing youth safety in the workplace.

Occupational Safety and Health Laws in the United States, Mexico, and Canada - October 1999. The purpose of this report is to update an existing 1992 report on OSH standards in Mexico and the U.S., and to include Canadian OSH standards. The topics to be covered by this report are grounded in the laws of each country, rather than focusing on regulatory programs which may change with the new administrations. The trinational study examines six areas that comprise each country’s Occupational Safety and Health Program: the legal framework, the development of standards, ensuring compliance, information systems, training, and workers’ compensation.

The Future Culture of Safety and Health in the Mining Industry in North America - September 22-24, 1999 in Winnipeg, Canada. Each country shared best practices and lessons learned in the prevention of exposure to hazards in the Mining Industry. The conference also explored evolving technologies in enhancing protection in the Mining Industry.

Conference on Safety and Health in the Bottling Industry - June 21-23, 1999 in Mexico City. The conference focused on the hazards associated with the Bottling Industry and the measures taken to prevent or lessen these hazards. Topics included inspection mechanisms, safety and health prevention programs, noise control, and the safe use of chemical agents.

Conference on Safety and Health on the Job - May 27-28, 1999 in Monterrey, Mexico. Focus at this two-day conference was given to safety and health in the workplace in North America. Issues discussed included noise control and the safe use of biological and chemical agents in the workplace.

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) - May 17-21, 1999. For the third year, the U.S., Mexico and Canada held a joint North American Occupational Safety and health (NAOSH) Week. The purpose of the week is to promote occupational health and safety in North America. The theme for 1999 was "Occupational Safety & Health: It’s Everybody’s Business!"

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) - May 18-22, 1998. For the second year, the U.S., Mexico and Canada held a joint North American Occupational Safety and health (NAOSH) Week. The purpose of the week is to promote occupational health and safety in North America.

North American OSH Week - June 2-6, 1997, Washington, D.C. The three NAFTA countries agreed to dedicate the same week to promoting occupational safety and health. The three countries adopted a common theme and cooperated in producing joint promotional material including a poster, a brochure and information packages that will be disseminated in all three countries. The theme of the OSH week is Occupational Safety and Health: Factor of Productivity.

NAALC Petrochemical Study Tour "Preventing Catastrophic Explosions in the Petrochemical Industry in North America" - October 27-31, 1996, Orlando, Florida. The study tour was held in conjunction with the 1996 Congress and Exhibition of the (U.S.) National Safety Congress. Every delegation presented case studies where a major accident in the petrochemical industry took place recently. The delegations also reported on accomplishments in carrying out the 1995 Construction Back Home Plan agreed to at the 1995 meeting held in Dallas, Texas. The delegations devised a new "Back Home Plan on OSH in the Petrochemical Industry" as their next program.

Occupational Safety and Health Planning Session - March 25-26, 1996, Mexico City, Mexico. Specialists from the United States, Canada and Mexico reviewed progress and planned future activities for occupational safety and health (OSH) matters.

Construction Study Tour - November 5-10, 1995, Dallas, Texas. This study tour was an OSHA proposed program and a follow-up to the 1994 Trinational Construction Seminar. The theme for the study tour was "Moving Forward Toward Promoting a Safe and Healthful Workplace Culture in the Construction Industry." The tour fostered an exchange of best practices on ways to reduce fatalities and injuries occurring at construction work sites.

Canadian OSH Centre Seminar - July 13, 1995, Mexico City, Mexico. The purpose of the seminar was to highlight Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) information systems, products and expertise which would be of particular use to researchers, officials and inspectors in the area of health and safety in the three countries.

Annual Meeting of Senior Occupational Safety and Health Officials - June 5-8, 1995, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The purpose of this meeting of senior federal and provincial officials responsible for OSH in Canada, was to exchange information about key OSH issues among Canada’s 13 labor jurisdictions and emerging OSH trends and issues.

Technical Seminar on Safety and Health in the Petrochemical Industry - November 14-17, 1994, Edmonton, Alberta. Entitled "Working Together Towards a Greater Understanding", the goal of the seminar was to foster cooperation, greater ties and better understanding in high-hazard industries among labor, industry and government in the three NAFTA countries.

Technical Seminar on Safety and Health in the Construction Industry - September 27-30, 1994, Mexico City, Mexico. The purpose of this seminar was to bring together leaders of labor, industry and government in the United States, Canada and Mexico to share ideas and information on construction safety and health issues.

Hazard Recognition training for Industrial Hygienists - September 20-22, 1994, Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico. OSHA and STPS instructors trained STPS personnel and private industry participants.

Accident Inspections training - September 13-15, 1994, Monterrey, N.L., Mexico. OSHA and STPS instructors conducted the training for the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) and STPS personnel.

Seminar on Occupational Safety and Health Statistics - September 12-13, 1994, Mexico City, Mexico. The purpose of the seminar was to examine and compare how each country gathered and analyzed its data on occupational safety and health, to look at the methodology and best practices to see if there was a foundation to consider the comparability of data to facilitate discussions on a comparative or similar basis across the three countries.

Industrial Hygiene training session - August 30-September 1, 1994, Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico. Medical doctors and engineers from the region and personnel from the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) participated in the training session.

Safety and Health in the Construction Industry training - August 23-25, 1994, Monterrey, N.L., Mexico. The training session’s objective was to share how to best enforce safety and health regulations in the construction industry.

Biohazards Course - June 28-30, 1994, Mexico City, Mexico. OSHA Training Institute and STPS conducted the course which incorporated the technical aspects on the subject of biohazards and the Mexican legislation.

Technical Seminar on Safety and Health in the Electronics Industry - June 13-16, 1994, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The seminar was designed to improve conditions in the workplace by fostering communication, cooperation and greater understanding among representatives of labor, industry, and government in the three countries.

Sampling of Environmental Contaminants training - April 26-29, 1994, Mexico City, Mexico. Canada donated 40 units of air sampling equipment to STPS for its new industrial hygiene laboratory and two technical specialists provided five days of training on its use at the laboratory.

Principles of Ergonomics training - February 22-24, 1994, Mexicali, B.C., Mexico. OSHA instructors taught technical aspects and STPS instructors provided an overview of applicable Mexican regulations in this area.

Sampling and Laboratory Analysis of Airborne Contaminants training - February 21-25, 1994, Mexico City, Mexico. Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) personnel attended training on laboratory procedures conducted by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) instructors.

MIGRANT WORKERS

IV Joint Regional Training Seminar DOL/USDA SRE East Region Atlanta - November 7-8, 2005, Atlanta. The regional seminar was co-sponsored jointly between the DOL and the Mexican Consulate in Atlanta. The seminar was intended to familiarize Mexican Consulates in the U.S. about relevant U.S. labor laws and regulations with regard to migrant workers and to discuss cooperative activities designed to promote awareness of these rights. Mexican Consulates were represented from Kansas City, Miami, Orlando, Omaha, Raleigh, Denver, and Salt Lake City and the U.S. was represented by OTAI and Regional Administrators of OSHA and the Wage and Hour Division. The two-day training seminar provided an opportunity for U.S. and Mexican officials to review progress made on the U.S.-Mexico Joint Declaration and Letters of Agreement on migrant workers in the United States and to discuss actions taken by both countries through the joint Alliance agreements. To date thirteen agreements have been signed between the Mexican consulates and U.S. Wage and Hour and OSHA divisions. These alliances have resulted in collaboration on training activities and outreach campaigns to inform immigrants on workplace safety, minimum wages, and other rights that they have while working in the United States. The two-day training seminar concluded with a discussion of next steps to institutionalize the partnerships through the establishment of formalized systems to periodically report and evaluate activities.

Workshop on U.S.-Mexico Labor Rights of Migrant Workers - August 26, 2003, Mexico City. The one-day workshop provided an opportunity for U.S. and Mexican officials to continue the dialogue concerning migrant workers in the United States and to discuss actions taken by both countries in the context of the Ministerial Consultations Joint Declaration of June 11, 2002 and the U.S.-Mexico Joint Ministerial Statement Regarding Labor Rights of Immigrant Workers on April 15,2002. The workshop discussion led to detailed exchanges on the U.S. H1 and H2 visa programs, Mexican job bank mechanisms designed to recruit workers in response to U.S. employer needs and the establishment of regional partnerships by the U.S. Department of Labor in collaboration with Mexican Consulates in the United States, and local government and organizations. Specific issues discussed and noted for further collaboration include Mexico’s use of its Chambanet and Chambatel electronic job banks as a tool to recruit workers for legal visa work programs in the United States, the need to educate workers on their workplace rights and responsibilities both in the United States and before they leave Mexico, information and data sharing on H visa workers and employers, analysis of current models of U.S.-Mexico collaboration for replication in other regions, and the development of additional mechanisms for the promotion of migrant workers rights.

Migrant & Immigrant Worker Forum - June 5, 2002, Augusta, Maine. The Forum was held pursuant to the May 2000 ministerial agreement signed by the labor ministers of Canada, Mexico and the United States. This event was co-sponsored by the State of Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) and the U.S. Department of Labor's National Administrative Office (USDOL/NAO). Government officials, employer representatives, educators, legal counselors, advocates and other service providers in Maine discussed working conditions and treatment of migrant and agricultural workers in the state of Maine. Consistent with the ministerial agreement, U.S. and Mexican labor officials explored ways of promoting and protecting the rights of migrant and agricultural workers in the United States. For more, read the Ministerial Consultations.

A Public Forum: Promoting Dialogue among Migrant Agricultural Workers, Growers and Government Officials - August 8, 2001, Yakima, Washington. This event was hosted by the U.S. NAO and was held pursuant to the May 2000 ministerial agreement signed by the labor ministers of Canada, Mexico and the United States. Among the issues addressed at the Forum were rights and protections for migrant agricultural workers in the United States as they relate to occupational safety and health, compensation for work-related illnesses and injuries, and industrial relations. The Forum also provided an opportunity for panelists to address housing, pesticide use and field sanitation issues.

The Application of U.S. Labor Law to Migrant Agricultural Worker Issues - May 23-24, 2001, Washington, DC. This event was hosted by the U.S. National Administrative Office and was held pursuant to the May 2000 ministerial agreement signed by the labor ministers of Canada, Mexico and the United States. During the event, government officials discussed U.S. laws regarding employment discrimination, minimum employment standards, safety and health, inspection processes, and protections for legal and undocumented migrant agricultural workers.

Conference on Agricultural Migrant Labor in North America - February 7-9, 2000, Los Angeles, California. The conference focused attention on specific concerns faced by governments, employers, NGOs, and migrant workers and accentuated best practices related to migrant labor in the NAFTA countries. Panel discussions provided a comprehensive overview of examining current trends, policies, and programs directed at solving many of the social and economic difficulties encountered by migrant workers in the three countries. Specific issues examined included economic impact, legal practices, common problems, current programs, and future measures.

WORKPLACE ISSUES

Conference on Trafficking in Persons in North America - December 6 - 7, 2004, Washington, D.C. The Conference enabled representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as representatives of international organizations, workers, and employers, to speak on successful initiatives undertaken on the prevention of trafficking, the protection of victims, and the prosecution of offenders. The Conference also provided and opportunity for dialogue on the labor dimension of trafficking in persons, a growing phenomenon in North America, and consideration of strategies for trilateral cooperative action to address trafficking throughout North America in the future. Approximately 190 participants attended the two-day event.

Assessment of U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons - September 2005

Violence as a Workplace Risk - November 29-30, 2001, Montreal, Canada. This trinational conference was hosted by the Canadian NAO and was held due to increased concerns about workplace violence in North America in recent years. The conference promoted dialogue among a diverse tripartite group of panelists and participants, including union representatives, government officials, employers, and private organizations from the three NAFTA countries. The conference consisted of discussions on the extent of the problem of workplace violence and its causes; an overview of the costs and consequences of workplace violence on individuals, companies, and societies; and an exchange of successful, innovative and progressive practices implemented to address the issue of workplace violence.

The Protection of the Labor Rights of Women in North America - May 30, 2000, Puebla, Mexico. This outreach session was for the purpose of disseminating information to workers, employers, government representatives, and NGOs on the rights and protections afforded women workers in Mexico. This training was in accordance with the Ministerial Consultations Implementation Agreement (US 9701).

Women in the Workplace: Know Your Rights! - August 17-18, 1999 in McAllen, Texas and Reynosa, Tamaulipas. Outreach sessions were held for the purpose of disseminating information to workers, employers, government representatives, and NGOs on the rights and protections afforded women workers in the United States and Mexico. This training was in accordance with the Ministerial Consultations Implementation Agreement (US 9701).

Protecting the Labor Rights of Working Women - March 1-2, 1999 in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico. Gender discrimination issues were raised in U.S. NAO Submission No. 9701, which led to ministerial consultations in October 1998. Under the Ministerial Consultations Implementation Agreement (US 9701), the U.S. Secretary of Labor, the Mexican Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare, and the Canadian Minister of Labour agreed to hold this trinational conference to examine gender discrimination in the workplace. The conference explored protections for women from employment discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. The conference also sought to raise women's awareness of their labor rights by discussing programs and policies that support them by helping to ensure compliance with laws against gender discrimination.

Protecting Working Children in North America: A Shared Responsibility - October 15-16, 1997 in Ottawa, Canada. The Child Labor conference in San Diego was a great success, with the three countries agreeing to continue work in this area. The second Child Labor conference was hosted by the Canadian NAO. Topics addressed were 1) promoting programs to inform children and youth; 2) balancing work and school; 3) providing adequate safeguards for the safety and health of working youth; and 4) recognizing family dynamics and the importance of access to adequate day care and social services and supports and of meeting the basics and special needs of migrant workers and disadvantaged families.

Women and Work in the 21st Century - April 23-25, l997, Queretaro, Mexico. The focus of this conference was to explore the current situation of working women, including legislation, policy and programs in the three NAFTA countries. The countries featured case studies of best practices that support working women as well as workplace innovations for the future.

Child and Youth Labor in North America: Improving the Lives of Working Children in the NAFTA Countries - February 25-26, 1997, San Diego, California. The conference examined innovations that would eliminate inappropriate participation of children in the workforce. It also explored ways that the NAFTA countries could improve the lives of children and youth who are legally in the workplace by reducing the risks to health and safety, and by safeguarding educational opportunities.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

U.S. DOL - Colombia Meeting and Study Tour on America's Labor Market Information System (ALMIS) and the U.S. One-Stop System - November 15-18, 2005, Washington, DC, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Chicago, Illinois. Representatives from various institutions of the Colombian Government met with DOL's federal officials from the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) in Washington, DC to learn about the U.S. Workforce Investment System, ALMIS, layoff-related programs, the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), and the U.S. One-Stop System. The Colombian delegation then traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina and Chicago, Illinois to meet with ETA's Regional Administrators, the Employment Security Commission, and tour local One-Stop Centers. The meetings took place based on a request to DOL from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Colombia Productiva. This activity supports trade capacity building initiatives under the auspices of U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

Workshop on Supporting Economic Growth Through Effective Employment Services - September 29-30, 2004, Cancun, Mexico. The NAALC Secretariat, at the direction of the Secretaries of Labor from the U.S., Mexico and Canada, collaborated with the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor to organize a hemisphere-wide workshop on "Supporting Economic Growth Through Effective Employment Services". The program showcased employment service systems of the NAALC countries, and reviewed selected international cooperation initiatives in this field, including U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Caribbean projects. The event also served as a forum for a practical discussion of lessons learned in the design and implementation of employment services, as well as the applicability of various employment service models to the diverse labor markets of the hemisphere. Recognizing the interest of numerous participants in continuing activities, the Secretariat is consulting with experts in the field to develop proposals for potential follow-up initiatives.

Conference on Labor Market Information Statistics - July 12-15, 2004, Mexico City, Mexico. Government representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Mexican Secretaria del Trabajo y Previsión Social (STPS) and the Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas, Geografía e Informatica (INEGI) met to exchange information about methodologies currently being used in each country in the field of labor market information statistics. Additionally, BLS provided detailed information concerning training courses available in the areas of productivity measurement and employment projections. The Conference was a follow-up to the meetings between BLS and STPS on employment projections and productivity measurement that took place on December 11-12, 2003, in Washington, D.C.

Seminar on Linking Job Skills and Education in North America - August 21-22, 2003, Mexico City. Approximately 80 officials representing government, business, labor, and private institutions attended the 2-day seminar, which was a follow-up activity to the 1998 NAALC seminar on The Evolution of Labor Markets and the Role of Governments held in Guadalajara, Mexico. The new event was organized by Mexico’s Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS), the Council for Standardization and Certification of Labor Competencies (CONOCER), the Technical Education Modernization and Training Project (PMETYC), the Canadian Ministry of Human Resources Development, and the U.S. Department of Labor. The seminar focused on innovative trends in education, training, and human resource development developed by private and public sectors in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. During the working group sessions, experts exchanged information about best practices and methodologies, and explored possible collaborative efforts among the three countries in the future. For further information, please contact Chantenia Gay or Peter Accolla at the U.S. Department of Labor's National Administrative Office: 202-693-4900, or see the seminar agenda and site information [HTML] [PDF].

Workshop on Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) of the United States under the U.S. DOL – Mexico Workforce Development Program - June 23-26, 2003, Mexico City. At the request of Mexico’s Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS), a DOL technical team conducted this workshop with the objective of discussing technical issues and options for developing and implementing a standard occupational classification system in Mexico. The workshop was led by experts from ETA, BLS, ILAB, and a contractor. Approximately 20 officials from Mexico attended the workshop representing STPS and the National Institute of Statistics, Geography, and Informatics (INEGI – Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas, Geografía e Informática). The activity is part of the DOL technical cooperation program aimed at assisting Mexico in several areas of workforce development.

U.S.-Mexico Cooperation on Workforce Development - Building on a series of exchange visits and information exchanges during the past two years, a U.S. technical team visited Mexico June 4-20 to collaborate with counterparts from the Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare in the further development of Mexico's Internet-based Job Bank; One-Stop Employment Service Centers; occupational classification system; and labor market information. U.S.-Mexico bilateral cooperation on workforce development enables experts from the two countries to exchange information on innovative technologies, programs and policies consistent with their respective strategies for achieving 21st Century workforce objectives.

Seminar on Labor Market Trends & the Role of Governments - April 1-2, 1998 Guadalajara, Mexico. The focus of this conference was to increase awareness of training programs and placement services carried out by the three governments. The conference reviewed current government programs and their capacity to respond effectively and rapidly to changing trends. Government and workplace responses to long-term needs also were assessed.

Tripartite Seminar on Responding to the Growth of Non-Standard Work and Changing Work Time Patterns and Practices - November 25-26, 1996, Ottawa, Canada. The workshop was an opportunity for the tripartite delegations to share information and points of view regarding types and forms of work, new forms of work, definitions of non-standard work, legislation on non-standard work and policies undertaken, effects of this new kind of work pattern on workers and employers, and current research on these issues.

Workshop on Income Security Programs - October 3-4, 1996, Ottawa, Canada. This was the first cooperative activity meeting held in Ottawa. The program was held to exchange experiences regarding the policies each country is undertaking in areas such as unemployment, employment insurance, pensions and family benefits, workers’ compensation, employment services and programs, and other related programs.

Workshop on Continuous Learning and Development in the Workplace - April 23-24, 1996, Dallas, Texas. Delegations from the three countries made up of labor, business and government representatives met at the Secretariat to review national legislation involving continuous learning and development in the workplace; public/private institutions delivering programs in this issues; links with the educational sector and on-the-job training; strategies for skills upgrading and retraining; and specific programs for skills certification along the sectors.

Workshop on Productivity Trends and Indicators - October 24-25, 1994, Mexico. The workshop studied methodological and statistical foundations, practical applications and international comparisons. There was a general agreement that there should be a continuing dialogue between the respective statistical agencies concerning the measurement and interpretation of productivity measures.

Technical Seminar on Microenterprises and the Informal Sector - June 2-3, 1994, Mexico City, Mexico. Government representatives from the three countries met to exchange information and statistics about microenterprises and the informal sector. This was the first trilateral seminar built on DOL-STPS cooperative work program on the informal sector in Mexico and the underground economy in the U.S., which was based on information exchanges and joint technical seminars.