Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

LABOR SECRETARY REICH PRAISES COOPERATION WITH CANADA AND MEXICOWednesday, Sept. 27, 1995

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.