Joint US and Mexico Efforts to Ensure Safe and Healthful Working Conditions for Workers from Mexico and other Latin American Countries. |
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LETTER OF AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES CONCERNING WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTIONS APPLICABLE TO MEXICAN WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the Department of Labor of the United States of America, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States, through its Embassy and Consulates in the United States, hereinafter "the Parties"; Considering their commitment to protect the well-being of Mexican workers in the United States; Considering their desire to establish programs of cooperation to educate and inform Mexican workers in the United States as to their workplace rights and responsibilities, to encourage them to exercise their rights under the occupational safety and health law, and to provide them with proper channels to do so; Considering the importance of promoting and encouraging training programs for Mexican workers to continue to reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace; and Considering the intention of the U.S.-Mexico Joint Declaration between the Department of Labor of the United States of America and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States, signed at Washington, D.C., on the twenty-first day of July of of two thousand and four; Intend to collaborate as follows: ARTICLE 1
Objective To promote the rights and well-being of Mexican workers in the United States through joint efforts between the Parties and with other relevant governmental agencies and private organizations in the United States, as appropriate and as mutually agreed upon by the Parties. ARTICLE 2
Areas of Collaboration In furtherance of this objective, the Parties intend to pursue the following initiatives, to the extent funds are available: 1. Make Mexican workers more aware of workplace laws and regulations, including efforts to: ARTICLE 3
Process of Consultation The Parties intend to collaborate through joint efforts at the national level between OSHA and the Mexican Embassy in Washington, D.C. and at the regional level between OSHA regional and area offices and the Mexican Consulates. The Parties intend to identify points of contact for formal communication at the national and regional levels, which would be responsible for developing joint efforts within the agreed areas of cooperation. Representatives of the Parties intend to meet on a periodic basis to assure that these functions are carried out. The Parties have exchanged lists of national and regional representatives, who would serve as contact points to support these efforts. ARTICLE 4
Expenses and Costs Each Party intends to finance its participation in any areas of cooperation undertaken pursuant to this Letter of Agreement subject to the availability of funds in each party's respective budget. ARTICLE 5
Final Provisions This Letter of Agreement may be modified at any time by mutual written consent of the Parties. Signed at Washington, D.C., in duplicate, one original in English and the other original in Spanish, on the on the twenty-first day of July of of two thousand and four.
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