United States Department of Labor

LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND
THE MINISTRY OF LABOR, EMPLOYMENT, AND SOCIAL SECURITY
OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA
CONCERNING LABOR COOPERATION

Recognizing the value of dialogue and cooperation between the Department of Labor of the United States of America (USDOL) and the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security of the Republic of Argentina (MTEySS),

USDOL and MTEySS intend to undertake activities as described below:

Overall Objective

USDOL and MTEySS affirm their common objective to promote hemispheric collaboration on labor issues, and strengthen cooperation on labor matters to ensure equitable economic growth, raise living standards, support widely-shared prosperity and address areas of challenge, including promoting employment, providing social protection and protecting labor rights.

Areas for Cooperation
USDOL and MTEySS intend to undertake cooperation in areas that may include, but are not limited to:

• Employment programs that can help workers address the impact of the global economic crisis;

• Employment generation, employability, and skills and competency development;

• Social insurance programs;

• Discrimination in the workplace;

• Occupational Safety and Health; and

• Other labor issues that may be agreed to by the participants. 

All activities undertaken must be with the mutual consent of the participants.

Forms of Cooperation
Unless otherwise mutually decided, USDOL and MTEySS intend to implement such cooperation through activities such as:

• Exchange of information on successful labor programs and initiatives;
• Studies and analysis of the impact of different policies on employment, wages and income distribution; and
• Convening of joint seminars, workshops, video conferences, and meetings of mutual interest. 

Overall coordination for all activities under this Letter of Understanding will be conducted by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs of USDOL and the Bureau of International Affairs of
MTEySS.  USDOL and MTEySS may invite the participation of other appropriate agencies within each government to enhance the cooperation under this Letter of Understanding.

Where considered appropriate and upon mutual agreement, USDOL and MTEySS may invite the participation of representatives of workers, employers, non-governmental and international organizations. 

The participants each intend to bear their own costs associated with the implementation of this Letter of Understanding.  By mutual arrangement, other sources of funding may be sought in support of cooperative programs.

This Letter of Understanding becomes operative on the date of signing and is intended to cease December 2013.  It may be modified by written consent of USDOL and MTEySS.  Either participant should endeavor to provide three months advanced written notification to the other participant of its intent to discontinue this understanding. 

Signed at Buenos Aires, Argentina on the 6 day of October of two thousand and nine, in duplicate, in the Spanish and English languages.

FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR                              FOR THE MINISTRY OF LABOR,
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA                       EMPLOYMENT, AND SOCIAL SECURITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF
                                                                                               ARGENTINA

_______________________________                                  ______________________________

Hilda L. Solis                                                                        Dr. Carlos Tomada

Secretary of Labor                                                                 Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Security