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2008 In Focus Archive: November 21, 2008

U.S. — Dominican Republic-Central American Officials Meet to Discuss DR-CAFTA Labor Chapter

SAN SALVADOR, November 21 — Officials from the United States, Central America, and the Dominican Republic held the first meeting of the Labor Affairs Council, established under the Dominican Republic-Central America — United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).

The Council is responsible for overseeing the implementation of, and for reviewing progress under, the Labor Chapter of the CAFTA-DR, including the activities of the Labor Cooperation and Capacity Building Mechanism established under the Labor Chapter.

The Council reaffirmed the importance of each Party fulfilling its commitments under the Labor Chapter, including the effective enforcement of each Party's labor laws, and respect for the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

"We see the DR-CAFTA countries as crucial partners on labor matters in the hemispheric dialogue. We are all equal partners in the free trade agreement and share a foundation of common interests and goals. Labor cooperation is an important part of our regional trade relationship." said Howard M. Radzely, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Radzely led the U.S. delegation, which was comprised of officials from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, and the U.S. Department of State.

The meeting was hosted by Salvadoran Minister José Espinal, who is also the President Pro Tempore of the Council of Labor Ministers of Central America and the Dominican Republic.

Other attending officials from the DR-CAFTA countries included Dr. Max Puig, Secretary of State for Labor for the Dominican Republic; Francisco Morales, Minister of Labor and Social Security for Costa Rica; Edgar Rodriguez, Minister of Labor and Social Welfare for Guatemala; Vice Minister of Labor Napoleón Ríos of Nicaragua; and Vice Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Dario Cardona of Honduras.

"We will continue to work with the DR-CAFTA countries on a broad range of matters relating to the implementation of the Labor Chapter, including capacity building and effective enforcement of labor laws," Radzely said. Since 2005 the United States Government has dedicated over $70 million to these efforts.

Event photo. Caption below.

Deputy Secretary Howard Radzely (third from left) with Ministers and Vice Ministers of Labor from the CAFTA-DR countries at the Labor Affairs Council meeting in San Salvador, November 21. (DOL Photo)