The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61752

Garrett D. Brown, MPH, CIH, Maquiladora Health & Safety Support Network, P.O. Box 124, Berkeley, CA 94701-0124, 510-622-2913, gdbrown@igc.org

In January 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)went into effect in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The trade agreement included two "side agreements" added at the last minute to respond to widespread concerns that labor rights and the environment in North America would be undermined by NAFTA's provisions. More than 20 complaints were filed under the labor side agreement, including six related to occupational health and safety. The key aspects of these complaints will be described as well as the handling of these complaints by the three governments. An analysis of the failure of the labor side agreement to protect workers' health and safety will be documented, and proposals made to more effectively protect workplace health and safety in pending international trade and investment treaties, such as the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to describe the key health and safety complaints filed under the NAFTA "labor side agreement" and the response of the government agencies involved. Participants will be able to evaluate the usefulness and impact of the NAFTA labor side agreement, and articulate key policies needed to actually protect worker health and safety in future international trade and investment agreements.

Keywords: Maquiladora, Workplace Safety

Related Web page: www.igc.org/mhssn

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.