The U.S. Department of Labor announced the renewal of its partnership with the Mexican Consulate in San Jose. The collaboration aims to inform the greater San Jose community about workers’ rights under federal labor laws, ensure employer compliance, and combat abuses against vulnerable workers.
Reaffirming this ongoing partnership strengthens the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico and promotes outreach activities designed to educate workers about their rights and employers about their responsibilities under the law.
Under this renewed agreement, workers in San Jose and surrounding areas will have access to education and training materials on workplace rights, minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, child labor, safe housing, and transportation laws. The partnership focuses on reducing violations of federal laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, and H-2A and H-2B programs under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The duration of this renewed partnership is three years.
“The formal renewal of the existing collaboration between the U.S. Department of Labor and Mexican Consulates signifies our continued commitment to protecting workers against abuse and exploitation,” explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Francisco Ocampo in San Jose, California. “It is our hope that this successful partnership will continue to play a critical role in the communities we serve.”
“This memorandum of understanding with the federal Department of Labor of the United States is very important because it is one more tool that allows us to support our community and our workers, regardless of their immigration status,” said Consul General Alejandra Bologna Zubikarai of the Consulate of Mexico in San Jose. “It is a priority for us that the rights of any Mexican worker are respected.”
