Joint declarations aimed at protecting Guatemalan, Nicaraguan workers

Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis said joint declarations will help protect the rights of Guatemalan and Nicaraguan citizens who work in the U.S. Solis signed the declarations along with the Guatemalan and Nicaraguan ambassadors.

The agreements allow the regional enforcement offices of OSHA and the Labor Department's Wage and Hour Division to work with local Guatemalan and Nicaraguan officials to protect workers' rights.

"They work in hard-to-fill occupations, many of which are low-paying and difficult jobs in sectors like construction, agriculture, and the service industry," Solis said. "They also pay taxes, rent, and receive few government services."

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Letters of Agreement between OSHA and the two governments call for them to collaborate on the following initiatives:

Develop a joint pilot program to enable the embassies and consulates to file OSHA complaints on behalf of workers.
Improve awareness of workplace laws and regulations, such as workplace inspection findings, corrective actions ordered, fines, and other enforcement and compliance efforts.
Develop, promote, and conduct training programs targeting industry sectors and workplaces with a high concentration of Guatemalan or Nicaraguan workers and help workers understand and protect themselves from common workplace safety and health hazards.

The workers will also be given the OSHA toll-free number staffed by multilingual operators to report concerns about safety and health issues. The number will be available day and night.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

July 29, 2011

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