17:36 | Lima, Jun. 11 (ANDINA).
The governments of Peru and the United States on Monday signed a cooperation agreement to make known and protect the labor rights of Peruvians who are working in the United States.
The pact was inked by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Ambassador Harold Forsyth of Peru during a ceremony at U.S. Department of Labor headquarters in Washington.
"This agreement reflects the existing cooperation and full understanding between Peru and the U.S. to jointly protect Peruvian workers' rights in the United States regarding wage issues through public outreach campaigns, education and training," said Ambassador Forsyth.
"This program helps to promote a legal framework between Peruvian workers and their employers to ensure the enforcement of fundamental human rights and responsibilities in the workplace," he added.
In a news release, the DOL said similar agreements were signed with ambassadors representing the embassies of Honduras, the Philippines and Ecuador.
"Migrant workers make important contributions to our economy," said Secretary Solis. "Today's agreements help ensure these workers are aware of the right to safe workplaces and to receive full payment of the wages owed to them under the laws of the United States."
Under the agreements, regional enforcement offices of the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and its Wage and Hour Division will cooperate with local consulates of the four countries.
Together, the consulates and Labor Department agencies will reach out to migrant workers with information about U.S. health, safety and wage laws.
The partnerships will help the Wage and Hour Division and OSHA more effectively enforce U.S. laws, especially in high-risk and low-wage industries.
This cooperation also will help both agencies identify problems faced by migrant workers and target labor law enforcement efforts.
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Published: 6/11/2012