On August 26, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Colombian government announced a significant partnership aimed at protecting the labor rights of Colombian citizens working in the United States. This initiative is part of the broader Consular Partnership Program, which also includes collaborations with countries such as the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala [b75b3a1d].
The agreement was formalized during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., where U.S. Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee and Colombian Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Ávila signed the partnership. The primary goal of this collaboration is to raise awareness about workplace regulations and ensure that Colombian workers receive the same rights and protections as their American counterparts [b75b3a1d].
Thea Lee emphasized the vital role that Colombian workers play in the U.S. economy, highlighting their contributions to various sectors. Meanwhile, Daniel Ávila pointed out that this partnership not only aims to protect labor rights but also serves to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the United States and Colombia, while supporting the Colombian diaspora in the U.S. [b75b3a1d].
This partnership comes at a time when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Labor are also enhancing their collaboration to combat unfair labor practices and promote worker protections domestically. The FTC and DOL have established a memorandum of understanding to address issues such as labor market concentration and the impact of the gig economy on workers [0e128792].
As the landscape of labor rights continues to evolve, both the U.S. and Colombian governments are taking proactive steps to ensure that workers are protected and that their rights are upheld, reflecting a commitment to fair labor practices across borders.