Examining Labour Rights Enforcement Mechanisms in NAFTA and the USMCA and its Impact on Labour Conditions in Mexico

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine changes made to labour rights enforcement mechanisms under the United States-Mexico Canada Agreement, from its predecessor agreement, the North America Free Trade Agreement, and the impact it may have on labour conditions in Mexico. Some scholars argue that the labour rights enforcement mechanisms in the North America Free Trade were fundamentally flawed, and allowed the Mexican government to passively enforce its domestic labour laws to the detriment of its workforce. This paper will argue that while the United States-Mexico Canada Agreement has made positive advancements to remedy labour issues under the North American Free Trade Agreement, limitations still exist, which may promote inequities amongst Mexican workers.