The U.S. and Mexico announced Aug. 9 a course of remediation to address denials of rights at the Industrias del Interior (INISA) denim garment facility in the state of Aguascalientes, marking the sixth time the two countries have agreed on a formal course of remediation under the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
The request centered on allegations that the Mexican company had coerced workers into accepting its proposed collective bargaining agreement revisions, intervened in the internal affairs of the union representing workers at the facility in question, and failed to bargain in good faith with that union. Under the remediation course, which must be completed by Nov. 10, the Mexican government will:
- ensure that INISA posts, disseminates, and abides by a public, written statement in which INISA commits to ensure respect for the rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining, affirm its neutrality on workers’ union choices and guarantee its non-interference in all union activities, and refrain from attempts to influence workers’ views on unions or union officials in any way;
- ensure INISA issues transparent guidelines that govern the conduct of personnel at the facility, implement the commitments of the neutrality statement, and establish the rights provided to workers, union representatives, and union advisers at the facility;
- ensure INISA implements a zero-tolerance policy for violations of the guidelines and neutrality statement;
- ensure INISA trains all company personnel and union representatives on the company guidelines and neutrality statements;
- offer a telephone line and/or direct email address for workers to anonymously report any intimidation, coercion, or threats with respect to their selection of a union or union activities, or non-neutrality, or interference in internal union affairs;
- conduct in-person workers’ rights training for all company personnel during normal working hours and post and distribute informational material at the facility regarding freedom of association and collective bargaining; and
- initiate sanctions proceedings, according to Mexican law, if Mexico has information that shows violations of Mexican law, and impose appropriate sanctions against individuals, labor organizations, or companies that have been found to violate Mexican law.
Copyright © 2025 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.