US Department of Labor, Mexican Consulate sponsor worker rights event

SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, along with the Consulate of Mexico in San Antonio, hosted an outreach event for low-wage and at-risk workers and their advocates Aug. 29, 2023, at the Mexican Consulate in San Antonio as part of Labor Rights Week, August 28, through September 1.

Labor Rights Week is a collaborative effort between embassies and their consulates with department’s field offices to increase awareness, and inform workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities under U.S. labor laws.

Each year, during August’s last week, the department and its partners join with worker rights groups, faith-based and community organizations and local unions to host or help sponsor informational workshops, educational sessions and other special events. Other federal agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board, also take part in Labor Rights Week activities to share information and educational materials on the laws their agencies enforce.

Statistics show underserved workers in the U.S. suffer the highest number of workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities. To help address this disparity, OSHA’s partnership and alliance programs play an important role in educating these workers about their rights to a safe and healthy workplace. Between September 2022 and August 2023, more than 167,155 workers benefited from outreach by the agency in coordination with allied consulates.

Federal labor laws protect everyone who works in the U.S., regardless of immigration status. Workers who believe their rights are being violated can contact their local OSHA or Wage and Hour Division office for more information or to file a complaint. Calls can be made anonymously.          

Join the conversation online using #LaborRightsWeek or #SemanaDerechosLaborales, and tag @USDOL or @DOL_esp on X, formerly known as Twitter.