'We will provide support and technical assistance to our constituents to consolidate the labour justice system that has been envisioned for the country'
The federal government and the International Labour Organization (ILO) for Mexico and Cuba are teaming up to strengthen the gender perspective in industrial relations to support the consolidation of labour reform.
On Thursday, the ILO officially launched the project “Strengthening Industrial Relations in Mexico: Labour Dispute Prevention and Access to Labour Justice with a Gender Approach”. The project aims to improve access to labour justice in Mexico by focusing on freedom of association, collective bargaining, and integrating gender perspectives into labour relations.
The initiative seeks to build the capacities of government bodies, employers, workers, and members of the labour justice system at both federal and state levels. It will support the implementation of the Mexican labour reforms from 2017 and 2019 and promote inclusive and equitable labour relations in selected regions across the country.
There have been a number of labour actions throughout Canada in the recent years.
The project – funded by the Labour Program of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) – focuses on implementing best practices for preventing and resolving labour conflicts by strengthening the capacities of government, employers, workers and labour justice institutions, both judicial and non-judicial.
“Canada is joining countries around the world to protect workers’ rights, and to make sure all workers have the safe, respectful workplaces they deserve. By providing targeted support to our trading partners, we’re working to make these kinds of workplaces a reality around the world.”, said Steven MacKinnon, Canada’s minister of labour and seniors.
Gender perspective in industrial relations
One of the project’s key goals is to enhance the effectiveness of labour justice services in courts and conciliation centers at the federal and state levels. To achieve this, a self-diagnostic tool will be implemented, allowing participating organizations to develop tailored improvement plans. These plans will aim to optimize labour justice services and streamline the resolution of labour disputes.
Also, the project will work to strengthen the gender perspective in industrial relations to support the consolidation of labour reform by creating gender indicators and awareness strategies. It also seeks to promote female leadership in unions and industrial relations to reduce the gender gap in these areas.
Women see less benefit of returning to office, according to a previous report.
“With this project, based on tripartite social dialogue, we will provide support and technical assistance to our constituents to consolidate the labour justice system that has been envisioned for the country,” said Pedro Américo Furtado de Oliveira, director of the ILO Office for Mexico and Cuba. “Considering that the ILO is discussing the possibility of a technical meeting on access to labour justice in 2025, this project will surely contribute with inputs for Mexico's participation in that discussion.”
Key partners of the project include the Secretary of Labour and Social Welfare, the Federal Centre for Conciliation and Labor Registration (CFCRL), as well as actors in the labour justice system (labour courts and conciliation centres) at both federal and various state levels.