Rapid Response Mechanism Complaint Filed Against Asiaway Automotive Components
The U.S asked Mexico to review whether there were labor violations at Asiaway Automotive Components Mexico, a Chinese-headquartered firm that does die casting and machining of aluminum parts in San Luis Potosi. According to Asiaway's website, the factory just opened in June this year, and another expansion is planned, until the factory has 1,700 workers. At that point, the company expects to have $800 million in annual sales from the site.
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Under the USMCA rapid response mechanism, the administration is asking Mexico to investigate if Asiaway showed favoritism to CTM, Mexico's longtime union confederation known for offering protection contracts that were more favorable to employers than to workers. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is asking Mexico to investigate if the company tried to prevent workers from promoting La Liga Sindical Obrera Mexicana, and whether it dismissed any supporters of that union because of their union activity.
Tai said, "Freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental cornerstones of the USMCA and Mexico’s labor reform. Employers can no longer choose the unions with whom they work, and must respect workers’ rights to select and join the union of their choice."
The petition alleged that a worker was fired for his support of La Liga.
Mexico didn't issue a statement about the request.