Canada and Mexico Conclude Ministerial Consultations Under the North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation

Office of the Minister Of Labour
News Release

January 29, 2003 - The Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and his Excellency, Mr. Carlos María Abascal Carranza, Secretary of Labour and Social Welfare for Mexico, have concluded their Ministerial Consultations after having resolved matters raised in Public Communication CAN 98-1 under the North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation (NAALC), in the spirit of cooperation that marks the relationship between both governments.

Both Ministers agreed to conclude these Consultations, ongoing since 1999, in accordance with the provisions of the NAALC, a side agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement. Minister Bradshaw and Secretary Abascal met personally on four occasions in 2001 and 2002 to exchange views on the freedom of association and protection of the right to organize, and occupational health and safety matters raised in Public Communication CAN 98-1 presented to Canada in April 1998.

“I have been very pleased with these Consultations. They were frank, constructive and mutually useful. I believe both parties felt that important issues had been resolved,” said Minister Bradshaw.

Minister Bradshaw also praised the efforts of the Mexican business and labour representatives who participated in reaching a consensus on an initiative to reform the federal labour code. The initiative is supported by the legislators on the National Action Party (PAN), the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the Green Party of Mexico (PVEM). Based on the experience of the Canadian federal government in reforming its labour code, Minister Bradshaw recognized the complex and delicate nature of the efforts made by Secretary Abascal to act as facilitator of the reform process.

In the context of CAN 98-1, Canada will participate in the Working Group of Government Experts on Occupational Safety and Health established in 2002. The Working Group discusses technical issues relating to the handling of hazardous substances, occupational safety and health management systems and voluntary protection programs. It also discusses training for inspectors and technical staff and the development of a tri-national Internet site for ongoing exchanges of information and good practices among the three countries.

With the successful conclusion of the Ministerial Consultations, both the Canadian and Mexican governments reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate to improve working conditions and the standard of living of all workers in North America.