Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

ILAB Press Release: U.S. NAO Again Moves To Review Workers Representation Issues In Mexico [12/10/1996]

For more information call: (202) 219-6373 X 164

The U.S. National Administrative Office (NAO) today announced it has agreed to review a submission on questions of Mexican workers' freedom of association and the right to organize. The NAO is the Labor Department agency responsible for administering the labor side agreement to NAFTA.

The submission involves representation of workers at Maxi-Switch, S.A. de C.V., in Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. The submitting parties allege that the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAFTA labor side agreement) was violated in the following ways:

• failure by Mexico to ensure impartial labor tribunals;
• failure to ensure fair, equitable and transparent labor tribunal proceedings;
• infringement of freedom of association and the right to organize in violation of Mexico's obligation under the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation to effectively enforce its labor laws by initiating procedures to seek appropriate sanctions and remedies; and,
• failure by Mexico to effectively enforce its labor laws through monitoring compliance and investigating suspected violations.

Maxi-Switch produces and markets high-technology keyboards for computers and computer games. It is a subsidiary of Silitek which is headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. The allegations were submitted by the Communications Workers of America, the Union of Telephone Workers of Mexico and the Federation of Unions of Goods and Services Companies of Mexico.

The NAO has 120 days to review the submission and report its findings and recommendations to the secretary of labor.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.