Labor Department Report Calls Out Labor Violations in Honduras
The labor enforcement mechanism for Honduras in the Central American Free Trade Agreement may be falling short in bringing real change to labor conditions and policy in the country, said the U.S. Labor Department in a study released on Feb.…
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27 that cited a number of labor violations in Honduras. Both countries vowed to strengthen labor rules in Honduras in a joint statement (here), and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said the report shows the U.S. aims to enforce labor commitments from trade partners. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka also praised the effort to uncover labor violations, but said the findings suggest the U.S. isn’t prepared to enforce labor rules in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. “As the United States negotiates [new] agreements, it must include new rules and labor protections that end impunity, improve law enforcement, are applied in a timely manner, and reduce the overwhelming influence of corporations and investors,” said Trumka in a statement (here). “Without enforceable rules, trade will continue to facilitate a race to the bottom in wages and working conditions for all workers—which will result in continued social and economic turmoil – not just in places like Honduras, but across the globe.”