US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ACTIVE IN FTAA

The US Department of Labor (DOL) continues its efforts to improve the observance of international labor standards, as well as other labor market concerns, through its participation in the US delegations at the FTAA negotiating group meetings. These efforts continue the work that the DOL, through its Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), has accomplished throughout the hemisphere and expand its participation in the Summit of the Americas process. Ron Dobson of the DOL was part of the delegation to the February Service Negotiations in Miami, where he monitors the question of immigration and professional standards. The Investment Negotiating Group also has DOL participation in its efforts to discourage the lowering of labor standards as a way to attract direct foreign investment. Coordination of these efforts comes from the Office of International Economic Affairs, where Betsy White directs the FTAA efforts.

This year Congress allocated the Labor Department’s ILAB $20 million for labor standards and $9 million for bilateral technical assistance. Previously these programs were financed through agreements with the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Of the technical assistance monies, $3 million has already been earmarked for the Americas. The Caribbean will share $1.5 million to develop its labor information systems, and Central America’s labor ministries will receive another $1.5 million to strengthen the region’s health and safety regulations. The DOL work on labor standards will be carried out by the International Labor Organization (ILO). USAID projects in Central America and the Caribbean continue to deal with labor relations and strengthening labor ministries in cooperation with the OAS.