In the context of Labor Day in the United States, which will be celebrated on September 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Mexican government, through its consular network in that country, is conducting the 16th edition of Labor Rights Week 2024. The goal is to empower the Mexican community about their rights and how to exercise them to create a fairer and safer work environment for everyone.
Vanessa Calva Ruiz, General Director of Consular Protection and Strategic Planning at the MFA, noted in an interview with El Heraldo USA that while they work on protecting Mexican nationals every day, during this week, which ends on August 30, they concentrate the largest number of messages, in-person and virtual activities, call banks, as well as free legal advice on labor rights.
"We're not just informing people about their rights and explaining how they can exercise them, but we're also working closely with the authorized authorities to address any type of violation that may occur — and there are cases — which is why these initiatives are so valuable and relevant. We can not only send messages but also directly address cases, whether it’s individuals who approach consulates or those identified during visits to workplaces," she emphasized.
The diplomat highlighted that, in addition to collaborating with U.S. labor authorities, the legal defense of the community is strengthened through the External Legal Advisory Program (PALE), which includes a labor rights component that is comprehensive and intertwined with immigration rights.
"Over the 16 editions of this initiative, more than 11,000 events have been held, and more than two million Mexicans have been assisted... As this initiative continues to grow, we hope to always have the capacity for prevention rather than just response, but in both areas, there are many resources and tools that we can make available to our community," said Calva Ruiz.
This year, they expect to surpass the 360,000 people served in 2023
Labor Rights Week is the main preventive protection tool in this area, aiming to ensure that people know their rights, establish a trusting relationship with the consulate, and realize that the authorities are here to safeguard their labor rights.
"We're not just informing people about their rights and explaining how they can exercise them, but we're also working closely with the authorized authorities to address any type of violation that may occur."
— Vanessa Calva Ruiz
The call to the Mexican community is to approach the consular protection area, not only when they already have a problem.
"People should know that we are their primary source for obtaining labor-related information that is official, safe, and reliable. We have consular resources to support them, particularly in connecting them with the labor authority, which ultimately takes action to defend their rights," the official pointed out.
Finally, she reiterated that the Mexican population has a consulate to help them and that it is crucial for them to approach it because otherwise, all these tools, collaborations, and legal and assistance programs cannot be applied or implemented.
The main challenge is for people to know their rights and be willing to exercise them.
Some Activities for Thursday, August 29, and Friday, August 30
Thursday, August 29
10:00-12:00
Mexican Consulate in El Paso
Socorro Ramírez Community Center
Free labor and legal advice
Friday, August 30
11:00 am
Mexican Consulate in Detroit
Talk: Responsibilities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Topic: The Commission's Responsibility in Enforcing Federal Laws Aimed at Preventing and Eliminating Workplace Discrimination
Check out the activities that the consulates have scheduled through their social media channels