  CSL Rule of Law: Labor Justice Advocacy in the CAFTA-DR Signatory Countries Programs CSL Rule of Law: In the News Ombudsman Office in Costa Rica Thanks Pact Ombudsman Report to Costa Rican Congress El SalvadorPact has been working in El Salvador since 2009 when USAID awarded Pact with a two-year contract to strengthen civil society organizations and national institutions entrusted to support the administration of labor justice in Central America and the Dominican Republic. Through the Citizens’ Access to Labor Justice for CAFTA-DR Program, Pact is assisting El Salvador to achieve its obligations under the Free Trade Agreement between Central America, Dominican Republic and the United States, commonly known as CAFTA-DR. This is an agreement that creates a free trade zone which encompasses Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. This agreement between the United States and the signatory countries was established to reduce intra-regional trade barriers and promote economic development within the region. CAFTA-DR requires countries to take steps to improve labor conditions and the administration of labor justice. The United State government partners with Pact to improve labor conditions for marginalized groups, including agricultural workers, migrant laborers, domestic workers, women employed within the garment industry, workers with disabilities and persons living with HIV/AIDS. Under this program, Pact is building the capacity of public defenders and free legal assistance providers through specialized labor law trainings and donations of legal reference materials, computer equipment and case management software. Pact is also providing trainings and technical assistance that are tailored to meet the needs of labor judges and Ombudsman officials. This support is designed to contribute to the elimination of discrimination within the labor justice system, especially that which affects women and indigenous populations. In addition, Pact is empowering members of civil society to resolve collective labor disputes more effectively through the use of Interest-Based Bargaining, a negotiation strategy in which parties collaborate to find mutually beneficial solutions to their disputes. Tailored trainings in Interest-Based Bargaining focus on representatives from private sector chambers of commerce and business associations, universities, and labor unions. These trainings include dynamic role-plays to reinforce learning. Participants in these IBB training have gone on to become IBB trainers in their organization and to assist other worker organizations and their leaders in developing these skills. Pact also conducts trainings for trade union leaders on HIV in the country, and the general labor principles for protecting workers living with HIV. Results · On Friday, June 3rd, Pact grantee, Mujeres Transformando, published the Manual on Labor Rights of El Salvador, which promotes the access to labor justice for women workers. · On Wednesday, June 15th, the organization Atlacatl Vivo Positivo published the Manual on Labor Rights for Employers and the Guide on Labor Rights for Workers. · On Thursday April 14th, Pact grantee IDHUCA concluded the Certificate on Labor Justice Access, aiming at providing knowledge on key labor rights and administrative and legal procedures to 46 union leaders and public officials. The news is available online at: http://justicialaboral.ning.com/profiles/blogs/se?]concluyo?]el?]diplomado The Spanish language website for the CAFTA-DR program can be found here: http://justicialaboral.ning.com/ In El Salvador, Pact has partnered with the following organizations:
For further information please contact:Sandra Duenas Susanna Shapiro |
