The Ministry of Economy (SE) reported that accepted a US request to investigate alleged labor abuses at a Panasonic auto parts plant in Reynosa, Tamaulipas.
The request from the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), made in May, marked the third labor complaint of the neighboring nation under the new regional trade agreement that seeks to improve working conditions in Mexico.
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a letter to the Economy Minister, Tatiana Clouthierthat his office was concerned that workers were being denied free association and collective bargaining rights at Panasonic Automotive Systems de Mexico.
In a statement, the Ministry of Economy said that it sent its response on Thursday and that it will review the case with the Secretary of Labor to determine if the rights of workers have been violated under the trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico, TMEC, of the year 2020.
The union that requested the investigationSNITIS, has accused Panasonic of signing a union contract behind the back of the workforce and firing several dozen employees who protested.
Panasonic Corp of North America it stated that it “respects and supports” the rights of free association and collective bargaining and that it did not believe that these had been denied. The Japanese conglomerate unit added that it would cooperate with Mexican authorities.
The unit of the Japanese industrial conglomerate added that it “will continue to comply with all legal requirements.”
Reference-aristeguinoticias.com
