US criticizes Honduran labor violations

While the US already has taken Guatemala to task for failing to develop and enforce adequate regulations to protect its workers, a new US report looks like it has just laid out an argument why the US should start moving in a similar direction in Honduras.

The U.S. government said in a report released Friday it found evidence of illegal use of child labor in Honduras as well as systemic problems with the country's ability to enforce its labor laws.

The findings from its investigation were issued three years after the AFL-CIO and 26 other Honduran unions and other groups filed complaints of violations of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement.

The labor protections are intended to raise living standards in other countries but also protect U.S. workers from unfair competition. U.S. companies were involved in Honduran workplaces cited in the report and farms and factories cited exports to the U.S.

The Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA), a division of the Department of Labor, said its detailed review turned up labor law violations in almost all of the still operating businesses that the unions and groups complained about. OTLA said its review left it with "serious concerns regarding the government of Honduras' enforcement of its labor laws in response to evidence of such violations."

However, after browsing the report's introduction, it looks like the investigations are at a much earlier point than Guatemala. In addition, the government of Honduras responded in a manner that might give it some time and allow for the US and its Honduran partners to work out their differences short of arbitration.

Throughout the review process, the Government of Honduras has demonstrated a willingness to engage the U.S. government concerning the issues raised in the Submission and the actions needed to remedy the problems identified. In addition to this engagement and open communication with the OTLA, the Government of Honduras took the important step of launching a dialogue and holding regular meetings with representatives from unions and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) interested in the Submission. While the OTLA welcomes the Honduran government’s efforts and engagement with civil society, there has not yet been measureable systemic improvement in Honduras to address the concerns raised.

You can read the final report here.