Federal Agency and Consulate Will Work Together to Assist Mexican Workers in Understanding Employment Rights
EL PASO -The El Paso Office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso. The agreement establishes an ongoing partnership between the agency and the consulate which will provide information to Mexican citizens working in the United States about their rights under federal laws that protect workers in this country from discrimination, regardless of documentation status. This will include educational sessions, Spanish-language informational materials, and training to staff about the EEOC and the laws it enforces.
"The U.S. civil rights statutes give the same protection to Mexican citizens working in the United States as they do to U.S. citizens," said Jeffrey Zelmanow, acting director of the EEOC's El Paso Office. "This Memorandum of Understanding will help ensure that information about the law is communicated to this vulnerable community."
Additionally, the EEOC will partner with the consulate to provide information and training to areas of Texas and New Mexico where migrant farm workers and other Mexican citizens live and work. The EEOC's El Paso Office covers a geographical jurisdiction that includes west Texas and the southern counties of New Mexico.
Eliminating discriminatory policies affecting vulnerable workers who may be unaware of their rights under equal employment laws or reluctant or unable to exercise them, are one of six national priorities identified by the SEP. These policies can include disparate pay, job segregation, harassment, and human trafficking.
The EEOC enforces the nation's laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov.
