Mexico, U.S. Sign Agreement Aimed At Educating Migrant Workers About Labor Rights

A migrant farm worker from Mexico harvests organic zucchini while working at the Grant Family Farms on September 3, 2010 in Wellington, Colorado. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (2010 Getty Images)

The labor secretaries for Mexico and the United States signed a joint declaration Thursday aimed at better informing Mexican workers about their protections under U.S. laws.

The agreement arose from longstanding concerns Mexican officials had about its citizens who work in the United States, on employment visas, in the areas of agriculture, forestry, food packing, fairs and carnivals.

The agreement calls for conducting educational and outreach efforts targeting the workers about their rights as well as the responsibilities of employers.

"Today's signing of the joint declarations is another important step forward in helping ensure that all workers in the United States know their rights and that all employers know their responsibilities under the law," said U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, according to a press release. "I am pleased that the Department of Labor will be working with the Government of Mexico and others to continue making progress toward achieving that goal."

Perez and Jesus Alfonso Navarrete Prida, the Mexican Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare, signed a joint ministerial declaration committing to the outreach to Mexican workers.

The release said that educational and outreach materials would be available in Spanish and English.

“In carrying out these activities, the department and the Mexican Secretariat will seek input from stakeholders in the United States and Mexico,” the press release said.

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