Seventh labor complaint from the US arrives in Mexico; Unique Fabricating pointed out for denying labor rights

The United States Trade Representative, Katherine Taiannounced Monday that the United States government asked Mexico to initiate an investigation at the plant Unique Fabricating in Santiago de Querétaro, because they are being denied the rights of free association and collective bargaining.

The request, which was made in response to a petition, marks the seventh time the United States has formally invoked the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM) in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

“The USMCA Labor Rapid Response Mechanism is an important tool in advocating for worker rights and helps us promote worker-centered trade policy around the world,” said Rep. Tai.

“We look forward to working with the Government of Mexico to quickly address these issues as we pursue the shared goal of raising labor standards and creating a race to the top in commerce,” he remarked.

“The labor provisions of the Agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada and the labour reform of Mexico of 2019 are intended to address accusations such as those cited in this case,” said the Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh. “The government of Mexico has expressed its support for the full implementation of the labor reform. We look forward to working together to address the issues in this case.”

In connection with the US request, Tai directed the Secretary of the Treasury to suspend the liquidation of all inflows of unliquidated goods from the Unique Fabricating facility.