The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded more than $23 million in funding to strengthen labor law enforcement in Mexico and ensure that trade between the two countries benefits American workers and businesses.
Of the total funding, $15.4 million was awarded to Partners of the Americas and $8 million to Creative Associates International. These grants support collaborative efforts with Mexico’s government, private sector, and workers to enforce labor laws and uphold the labor provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The projects aim to address labor practices that suppress wages, distort competition, and give unfair advantages to companies that violate labor standards, ultimately protecting U.S. jobs and economic interests.
Administered by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, the initiatives target key USMCA priority sectors in Mexico that directly compete with American businesses. By strengthening enforcement and empowering workers to report violations through mechanisms such as the USMCA Rapid Response, the projects help ensure that Mexico meets its labor commitments and that U.S. workers can compete fairly in global markets.
Partners of the Americas, established in 1964, focuses on building cross-border partnerships to improve lives and create economic opportunities, including promoting labor rights. Creative Associates International, founded in 1977, provides training and capacity-building initiatives designed to maximize impact for the benefit of American workers.
Through these efforts, the Bureau of International Labor Affairs reinforces U.S. economic security by combating foreign labor abuses and unfair trade practices, contributing to job growth and wage protection for American workers.
