Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Indias labour and employment minister sign memorandum to cooperate on worker rights

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Minister of Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge of the Republic of India today signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on future labor and employment issues.

The memorandum establishes a framework for conducting dialogue and cooperative activities between the United States and India on labor and employment issues. It is an outgrowth of a 2010 meeting between Secretary Solis and Minister Kharge following a conference of the G20 labor and employment ministers hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor.

"Our governments share a firm commitment to workers and their rights," said Secretary Solis. "Today marks the launch of a new program to share valuable information that will ensure that workers' rights are respected."

The memorandum will enable the Labor Department, as well as other U.S. officials and experts, to begin dialogue on matters of mutual interest, including skills development, youth employment, mine safety and health, and occupation safety and health issues, with their counterparts in India. More information about the memorandum will be available at http://www.dol.gov/ilab/.