U.S. - China Labor Cooperation
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The first session of the annual U.S.-China Workplace Safety and Health Dialogue took place in Beijing on November 14, 2012. Participants on the U.S. delegation include (from left to right) ILAB Deputy Director Zhao Li, MSHA Assistant Secretary Joseph Main, ILAB Associate Deputy Undersecretary Mark Mittelhauser, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Wang (not photographed), OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels, and OSHA Deputy Director William Perry. |
The United States and China signed two Memoranda of Understanding in 2011 to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation in labor law enforcement, worker rights, and workplace safety and health. The following activities build on a decade-long cooperation and collaboration between the two countries:
U.S. - China Labor Dialogue
In the spring of 2010, the two governments brought their cooperation on labor and employment to a new height, with the creation of an annual labor dialogue between the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS). The topics under current discussions include worker rights, labor law enforcement, and social safety net programs.
U.S. - China Workplace Safety and Health Dialogue
In November 2012, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and China's State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) launched an annual dialogue focusing on workplace safety and health challenges, strategies, policies and programs. This dialogue complements the Labor Dialogue with MOHRSS. Together, these two dialogues represent U.S. and Chinese efforts to improve worker rights and working conditions globally.
U.S. - China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED)
The Secretary of Labor participates in the U.S. - China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED). DOL contributes to the S&ED discussions in the area of rebalancing growth and leads the discussion on policies tools — such as enforcing minimum wage standards, promoting collective bargaining and improving social safety net programs — to raise household income and increase domestic demand.
U.S. - China Exchange and Cooperation on Workplace Safety
DOL and SAWS are currently conducting a technical exchange project focusing on workplace dust control, toxic and hazardous substances, personal protective equipment and injury and accident prevention.
DOL and China's National Coal Association Work to Improve Compliance in the Coal Industry
DOL and the China National Coal Association (CNCA) signed an MOU in February to improve the coal industry's compliance with safety and health regulations in China. Having worked with the Chinese government to improve mine safety regulations and strengthen inspection and enforcement efforts for over a decade, DOL seeks to expand bilateral cooperation to include the coal industry through a partnership with the CNCA. Under the MOU, DOL and CNCA will develop exchange and technical cooperation projects and plan to engage mine workers and mine operators directly to address safety and health challenges in coal mines.
Congressional-Executive Commission on China
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Seth Harris is a commissioner on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC). The CECC publishes an annual report on China's human rights practices.
Upcoming Events
There are no scheduled upcoming events under this forum.
Previous Events
December 7, 2012: Annual U.S. - China Labor Dialogue — Beijing, China
DOL's Associate Deputy Undersecretary for International Labor Affairs Mark Mittelhauser and Deputy Director for International Relations Zhao Li conducted the 2012 session of the USDOL-MOHRSS annual dialogue in Beijing. They discussed with Chinese officials issues ranging from worker rights to employment forecasting.
November 14, 2012: Annual U.S. - China Workplace Safety and Health Dialogue — Beijing, China
DOL's Associate Deputy Undersecretary for International Labor Affairs Mark Mittelhauser, Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Joseph Main and Assistant Secretary Occupational Safety and Health David Michaels launched the annual safety dialogue with China in Beijing. They also attended a senior official meeting with their Chinese counterparts to commemorate the tenth anniversary of bilateral cooperation on mine safety and health.
November 21-25, 2011: Chinese Delegation Met with U.S. Officials to Discuss Mine Rescue Standards and Training — Washington, DC and Prosperity, PA
The delegation was headed by Deputy Director-General Guo Zhiwu of China's National Work Emergency Management Center, State Administration of Work Safety and was on a one-week study mission focusing on U.S. mine rescue standards, practices and equipment. After meetings in Washington with senior ILAB and MSHA officials and with MSHA technical experts, the delegation traveled to Pennsylvania to visit the Mine Technology and Training Center (MTTC) of the United Mine Workers of America.
October 24-26, 2011: 5th International Mine Rescue Conference — Beijing, China
DOL's Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Joseph Main delivered a keynote speech at the 5th International Mine Rescue Conference held in Beijing. He called for greater cooperation among nations to improve mine safety and health. He also visited a Chinese coal mine in Shanxi and discussed technology used for atmospheric monitoring.
October 19-21, 2011: DOL and MOHRSS Bilateral Meetings — Washington, DC
MOHRSS Vice Minister Sun Baoshu visited USDOL in October and discussed bilateral cooperation and wage and hour law enforcement strategies with Deputy Undersecretary Sandra Polaski and Acting Wage and Hour Administrator Nancy Leppink.
October 10, 2011: Adoption of the CECC Annual Report on China — Washington, DC
Deputy Secretary Harris voted in October 2011 to adopt the 2011 CECC Annual Report on China.
May 10-11, 2011: USDOL - MOHRSS Annual Dialogue — Washington, DC
Deputy Undersecretary of Labor Sandra Polaski and Chinese Vice Minister of Labor Wang Xiaochu conducted the second annual labor dialogue between the two countries in Washington, DC. They focused the discussions on minimum wage policies and enforcement, labor market projections and analysis, and China's current efforts in integrating the rural and urban social security systems.
Resources
- USDOL-CNCA MOU on Coal Mine Safety and Health Cooperation (2013)
- USDOL-MOHRSS MOU on Labor Cooperation (2011)
- USDOL-SAWS MOU on Work Safety Cooperation (2011)
Questions?
Christopher Watson
(202) 693-4858
Watson.christopher@dol.gov
