Workers' Compensation: Mexican Consulate, Labor Dept. Partner On Worker Protection

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Mexican Consulate, Labor Dept. Partner On Worker Protection

Today's post was shared by US Dept. of Labor and comes from indianapublicmedia.org

Photo: Sam Klemet/WFYI

Students walk outside the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis.
The United States Department of Labor is partnering with Mexican Consulates across the country, including in Indiana, to ensure worker protection.

Juan Manuel Solana Morales says some Mexicans who come to the United States to work, often don’t know about all of their rights.

“Sadly, we have detected that when we have new immigrants, they have different laws, different knowledge, different culture,” said Juan Manuel Solana Morales. “And, when they arrive here in the United States, sometimes they don’t understand the kind of rights that they have.”
Morales is the Consul of Mexico in Indianapolis.

He says the agreement signed with the Department of Labor aims to further educate and train workers specifically about wage rules and workplace safety.

“If I am going to be working 14 hours a day or two jobs and I get paid correctly, I can bring my family out of poverty,” he said. “If somebody abuses or takes advantage of (them), they won’t be able to pay the bills. So, I think (the agreement) is fundamental.”

There are about 380,000 Hispanics in the state, roughly 85 percent are from Mexico.

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