WASHINGTON - Today, Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), and Committee Member and Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Xavier Becerra (D-CA) issued the following statements following the announcement by USTR that the United States is proceeding with a labor enforcement case against Guatemala under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). It is the first time ever that the United States has pursued dispute settlement to enforce labor obligations in a trade agreement.
“It is high time that Guatemala be held to the labor obligations to which it committed a decade ago," said Levin. “Guatemala’s failure to enforce its labor laws weakens its economy and damages the opportunity for its citizens to earn a decent livelihood at a time when large numbers of unaccompanied minors and others are fleeing to escape violence and poverty in their home countries. I appreciate the hard work that USTR, the Department of Labor, the AFL-CIO and others have devoted to this important cause."
"I applaud the efforts of the USTR and the Labor Department to hold Guatemala accountable for failing to carrying out its commitments under the Action Plan and for its failure to enforce labor laws that will protect its workers’ rights," said Rangel. “We have an obligation to ensure that our trading partners are upholding the terms negotiated in our Trade Agreements. I am proud to join my colleagues and labor unions to send a strong message that the United States will not overlook any failures to maintain and enforce laws that meet international labor standards."
“Only meaningful improvements in economic and security conditions and strengthening institutions of democratic governance in Guatemala can provide a lasting and sustainable solution to its many challenges, and today's actions by USTR and the Department of Labor are an important step in the right direction," said Becerra. “Trade should be about removing barriers, improving standards for working men and women, and lifting all boats so we can trade as partners and as equals."
