U.S. NAO Submission 2003-01 (Puebla)

This submission was filed on September 30, 2003 by the United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) and the Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador concerning conditions at a garment factory in the State of Puebla, México. Amendments filed on November 10, 2003 and on February 13, 2004 raised similar enforcement issues concerning another garment factory also located in the State of Puebla. The submission and the amendment allege violations under the NAALC concerning freedom of association and the right to organize, collective bargaining, occupational safety and health, minimum employment standards (minimum wage and overtime pay) and access to fair and transparent labor tribunal proceedings. The National Administrative Office accepted the submission for review on February 5, 2004 and held a hearing on April 1, 2004. On August 3, 2004 the U.S. NAO issued a public Report of Review recommending ministerial - level consultations. The U.S. Secretary of Labor formally requested ministerial consultations on October 29, 2004. On November 8, 2004, the Mexican Secretary of Labor agreed to hold ministerial consultations. Subsequently, all three countries Parties to the NAALC agreed to hold trilateral ministerial consultations. The three Ministers signed a Joint Declaration on April 24, 2008 agreeing to a set of activities to resolve the issues raised in the submission. The activities should be completed within 18 months of the date of the Declaration was signed.

• Report of Review
• Original Submission
• Ministerial Agreement