NMED Deputy Cabinet Secretary Danielle Gilliam and Consul of Mexico in Albuquerque Norma Ang with signed copies of the agreement for protecting the rights of Mexican workers in the United States. Courtesy/NMED
NMED Deputy Cabinet Secretary Danielle Gilliam and Consul of Mexico in Albuquerque Norma Ang sign copies of the agreement for protecting the rights of Mexican workers in the United States. Courtesy/NMED
NMED News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Tuesday, the Consulate of Mexico in Albuquerque and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) renewed an alliance dedicated to protecting the rights of Mexican workers in the United States.
The agreement was signed at the beginning of Labor Rights Week, Aug. 28-Sept. 1, 2023, a joint initiative between the United States and Mexico dedicated to providing education and resources to the Mexican workforce in the U.S. This renewal marks the seventh year of this agreement, which was first signed in 2016.
“During this Labor Rights Week, we highlight the profound significance of the U.S.-Mexico relationship in championing the rights of all workers, including rights to speak out against unsafe conditions and protection from hazards,” Environment Department Deputy Cabinet Secretary Danielle Gilliam said. “The New Mexico Environment Department is committed to ensuring all people working in New Mexico have a safe and healthful workplace regardless of nationality or language.”
“For the Consulate of Mexico in Albuquerque, the renewal of this agreement is the result of several years of working hand in hand with New Mexico’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau, which has become one of the strongest partnerships that we have,” Consul of Mexico in Albuquerque Norma Ang said. “NMED has shown a permanent commitment to serving our Mexican migrant community, empowering them through a variety of joint educational activities performed across the state, looking to not leave anyone behind in the exercise of their labor rights.”
According to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture census, over 1,300 migrant farm workers, most from Mexico, worked on 147 New Mexico farms, helping to harvest crops like our famous green chile.
The two-year agreement commits NMED’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (OHSB) and the Consulate of Mexico to work together to develop training and education programs for Mexican workers and employers in New Mexico, including using the worker safety complaint system. The signatories will meet three times annually over the next two years to track and share information on the progress of meeting the goals of the agreement.
Multiple events for workers & employers are set up for the remainder of Labor Rights Week:
- Presentations on “What is New Mexico OSHA” at 10 a.m., Aug. 30 and 31 at the Consulate;
- An informational booth and in-person consultations from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 30 and 31 at the Consulate;
- A Univision Nuevo Mexico interview with an OHSB Compliance Assistance Specialist at 11 a.m., Aug. 30;
- A live Spanish-language radio show on worker rights on RADIO LOBO at 4 p.m., Aug. 30; and
- An OHSB presentation on worker OSHA rights at 7 p.m., Aug. 30 at the San Martin de Porres Parish.
Workers in the United States have the right to speak up about unsafe work conditions regardless of where they are from, the language they speak or the job they do. An employer cannot take negative action against a worker for reporting injuries, safety issues or other concerns.
If you believe your workplace may be unsafe, you may anonymously file a complaint by:
- Calling the Occupational Health and Safety Bureau at 505.476.8700
- Sending an email to Complaints.OSHA@state.nm.us
- Submitting your complaint through the online compliant form
Under the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OHSB’s role is to ensure these conditions for New Mexico’s workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance for over 68,000 employers throughout the state. According to the most recent NMED Performance Report, 64% of employers in New Mexico did not meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements for at least one standard in the previous fiscal year.