Mexico to make use of commerce deal to ensure employees get vaccine

Mexico has mentioned it should invoke the labour part of the free commerce settlement signed with the United States final 12 months to strain for its employees within the US to have entry to the COVID-19 vaccine no matter their immigration standing.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard on Wednesday mentioned that “it is an established right that the worker must not be exposed to infection. It is a responsibility of each of the countries to guarantee that all workers, independently of their immigration status, receive the vaccine,” Ebrard mentioned.
The exclusion of any Mexican employees from vaccination packages could be thought-about a violation of the commerce settlement, he mentioned.
Immigrant employees’ entry to the vaccine turned a difficulty in Mexico final week following feedback by Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts. The governor had been requested whether or not immigrants with out papers working within the state’s meat-packing crops could be vaccinated.
Ricketts mentioned: “You’re supposed to be a legal resident of the country to be working in those plants, so I do not expect that illegal immigrants will be part of the vaccine with that program.”
His spokesman later clarified with an announcement saying, “Proof of citizenship is not required for vaccination.” But some immigrant advocacy teams are nonetheless involved that the messaging will discourage folks within the nation illegally from getting vaccinated.
Ebrard additionally mentioned he would anticipate US labour unions to help Mexico on the difficulty. The United States-Mexico-Canada commerce pact, referred to as the USMCA, accommodates new guidelines and ensures for labour rights.
Roberto Velasco, Mexico’s director common of North American affairs, mentioned that “of course, the first thing we would do is to bring it between us and State Department, bring it up between governments.”
“Eventually, if we saw that it was necessary to start a procedure under the treaty to protest a violation of the rules, it would be a panel proceeding,” Velasco added, referring to panels of specialists from numerous nations that view disputes underneath the commerce pact