In a move to bolster workforce protections for its nationals, the Dominican Republic has freshly inked a deal with the U.S. Department of Labor. The agreement aims to arm Dominican workers in the U.S. with essential knowledge of American labor laws, specifically regarding workplace safety, wages, and hours.
The ceremony at the Labor Department's headquarters saw Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs Thea Lee and Dominican Republic Ambassador Sonia Guzman formalize the commitment. "This partnership with the government of the Dominican Republic will ensure that their citizens working in the U.S. are aware of the protections our nation's labor laws provide," Lee stated, also emphasizing workers' rights to a safe job environment and fair compensation for their labor. Notably, the agreement pledges to robustly share information among various government arms, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Labor Relations Board, in a concerted effort to uphold labor standards.
Addressing the partnership, Ambassador Guzman highlighted the broader scope of the Dominican government's mission, which extends beyond diplomacy. "Our mission as a representative of the Dominican government is not limited to strengthening bilateral ties with the U.S. government, but also with other communities, companies and organizations that carry out their work here in the United States," Guzman said, "especially if it is the Hispanic community, with which we are united by so many historical ties and friendship," she elaborated, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor's News Release.
The collaboration is seen as a strategic approach to better enforce U.S. labor laws, particularly in industries known to carry higher risks and often pay less, where violations are deemed more likely to occur. The Labor Department believes that these partnerships not only will help to rigorously protect workers but also to more efficiently identify and respond to the challenges workers face. Such alliances are designed to supercharge outreach and education efforts to ensure labor rights are both understood and actively practiced.
