ILAB News Release: [02/05/2004] Contact Name: Mike
Biddle Phone Number: (202) 693-4650
Labor Department to Review New Allegations of
Workers Rights Violations against Mexico
WASHINGTONThe U.S. Department of Labors National
Administrative Office (NAO) today agreed to review allegations that the
government of Mexico failed to enforce its law protecting the rights of workers
at two garment factories located in Mexico.
Effective enforcement of labor laws is fundamental to the labor
principles to which the U.S., Canada and Mexico are committed under the North
American Agreement on Labor Cooperation, said NAO Acting Director Lewis
Karesh. To this end, the Labor Department intends to conduct a thorough
review.
The submission was filed under the North American Agreement on Labor
Cooperation, the labor side agreement of the North American Free Trade
Agreement, which is the negotiated agreement between the U.S., Canada and
Mexico that deals with the enforcement of each countrys labor laws and
improving working conditions and living standards for workers.
In the submission designated as 2003-01, the submitters allege that the
Mexican government failed to enforce its labor laws concerning freedom of
association and protection of the right to organize and bargain collectively.
Additional allegations involve the right to access to fair, equitable and
transparent labor tribunal proceedings, minimum employment standards, including
minimum wage and overtime pay, and criticism of Mexicos enforcement of
occupational safety and health standards.
The submission was filed by the United Students Against Sweat Shops and
Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador. This is the fifteenth submission against Mexico
that has been filed with the NAO under the labor side agreementthe
majority of which involved issues of freedom of association. The submission was
also filed with the government of Canada. The NAO has up to 180 days to review
the case and issue a public report under its procedural guidelines.
ILAB conducts research on and formulates international economic,
trade, immigration and labor policies and provides international technical
assistance in support of U.S. foreign labor policy objectives.
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