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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202/219-6373.
The office which will oversee implementation of the labor
accords under the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA) was opened today
in Dallas by senior officials representing the three NAFTA countries.
The objectives of the Secretariat of the Commission for
Labor Cooperation (CLC) are to improve working conditions and living standards
throughout North America, promote a comprehensive set of labor principles and
ensure the effective enforcement of domestic laws in Canada, Mexico and the
U.S.
In comments about the formal opening of the secretariat,
U.S. Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich said, "Our joint efforts have resulted in
progress on labor issues with our NAFTA partners. I believe we will continue to
make strides in improving labor standards in North America."
The CLC is governed by a Council of Ministers of the three
countries. Council members are Reich, newly appointed Mexican Secretary of
Labor and Social Welfare Javier Bonilla-Garcia and Canadian Minister of Labor
Lucienne Robillard.
The CLC and the trinational secretariat were established
under the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC). The NAALC is
commonly referred to as the labor side agreement to NAFTA.
The secretariat is the administrative arm of the Council
of Ministers. It has a variety of responsibilities including the periodic
publication of reports on labor matters in all three countries. An executive
director and a staff of 15 employees handle the work of the Secretariat. The
employees include professionals drawn in equal numbers from the NAFTA
countries. John S. McKennirey, Canada's lead negotiator for the NAALC, is the
current executive director. The position is held for a three-year term and will
rotate among the three countries.
During Dallas meetings this week of senior officials
representing the labor ministers, the secretariat's first work plan and budget
for 1995-96 were approved. Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs
Joaquin F. Otero represented Reich. The workplan includes comparative studies
on the U.S., Canadian and Mexican labor markets and labor law systems. The
secretariat also will prepare reports on key issues such as best practices in
labor-management relations in the three countries.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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