North American trade and labor officials discussed policies to prevent violence and discrimination in the workplace and keeping products made with forced labor out of their markets at the second meeting of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s Labor Council.
The two-day meeting concluded yesterday in Mexico City.
During the meeting, the council discussed key labor policies on violence and discrimination in the workplace; cooperation and technical assistance projects; and implementation of the USMCA’s provision related to imports produced with forced labor.
Officials also exchanged views on the USMCA’s Labor Chapter implementation and conferred on further opportunities to collaborate on labor priorities as a North America Region.
The council held a virtual public session, with wide participation from workers, employers, civil society organizations and the general public. The public session reflected all three countries’ commitment to maintaining an open dialogue and participatory process regarding USMCA implementation, according to a readout from the US Trade Representative’s Office.
The session also provided an opportunity for members of the public to offer comments and ask questions about the USMCA Labor Chapter, both in person and online.
The United States, Mexico and Canada issued the following joint statement regarding the Council meeting.
Joint StatementDuring this second Labor Council meeting, the Parties reaffirmed their full commitment to the effective implementation of the innovative and ambitious USMCA labor obligations and reiterated their desire to promote and ensure the protection of internationally recognized labor rights through laws and policies, including the promotion of the trade in goods produced in compliance with the USMCA’s Labor Chapter.
The Council discussed several topics, including: (1) key labor policies on violence and discrimination in the workplace; (2) cooperation and technical assistance projects; and (3) implementation of the USMCA’s provision related to imports produced with forced labor. The Council also exchanged views on the USMCA’s Labor Chapter implementation and conferred on further opportunities to collaborate on labor priorities as a North America Region.
The Parties expressed the importance of their continued commitment to collaboration and cooperation on the identification of enforcement against the importation of goods produced with forced labor. To that end they decided to hold a trilateral dialogue on forced labor enforcement between the corresponding authorities of the three Parties, in order to continue the exchange of information on enforcement approaches and best practices related to addressing forced labor risks in supply chains.
The second Labor Council meeting also included a public session, which was held via videoconference, on June 29. More than 200 participants connected. Through this session, the Council reported to the public on the issues discussed between the governments and provided an opportunity for workers, employers, civil society organizations, and the general public to share their views, exchange ideas, and ask questions on matters related to the implementation of the labor provisions of the USMCA.
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