94-8297. Bureau of International Labor Affairs; North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation; Revised Notice of Establishment of U.S. National Administrative Office and Procedural Guidelines  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 67 (Thursday, April 7, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-8297]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: April 7, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
    
    Office of the Secretary
    
     
    
    Bureau of International Labor Affairs; North American Agreement 
    on Labor Cooperation; Revised Notice of Establishment of U.S. National 
    Administrative Office and Procedural Guidelines
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Labor.
    
    ACTION: Revised notice of establishment and procedural guidelines.
    
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    SUMMARY: This revised notice announces certain modifications to the 
    notice of establishment of the U.S. National Administrative Office 
    (Office), published in the Federal Register on December 30, 1993, and 
    sets out procedural guidelines pertaining to the public submission, 
    review, and reporting process utilized by the Office. The Office was 
    established on January 1, 1994.
        The revised notice also affirms that the Office will conduct its 
    activities in accordance with the cooperative principles upon which the 
    North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (Agreement) is based and 
    provides for the office's significant role in the development and 
    implementation of the cooperative activities envisioned by the Parties 
    to the Agreement. Finally, the revised notice sets out procedures for 
    inspection of public information and designation and treatment of 
    information submitted in confidence.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 1994.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Andrew Samet, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Bureau of International 
    Labor Affairs, Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., room 
    S-2235, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-6043 (this is not a 
    toll-free number).
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agreement was signed by the Presidents 
    of the United States of America and of the United Mexican States and 
    the Prime Minister of Canada on September 8, 9, 12, and 14, 1993. On 
    January 1, 1994 the Governments of the countries exchanged notes 
    providing for the entry into force of the Agreement. See section 
    101(b)(2) of Public Law 103-182, the North American Free Trade 
    Agreement Implementation Act.
        Article 15(1) of the Agreement requires each Party to establish a 
    National Administrative Office at the federal government level and 
    notify the other Parties of its location. Article 16 of the Agreement 
    requires the Office to perform several functions: to serve as a U.S. 
    point of contact with respect to the Agreement for other U.S. 
    government agencies, for the National Administrative Offices of Canada 
    and Mexico, and for the Secretariat of the Commission for Labor 
    Cooperation established by the Agreement; to provide publicly available 
    information about U.S. labor law matters upon request from the 
    Secretariat, the Canadian or Mexican National Administrative Office, or 
    an Evaluation Committee of Experts (ECE) formed under Articles 23-26 of 
    the Agreement to analyze labor law matters; and to provide for the 
    submission and receipt of public communications on labor law matters in 
    Canada and Mexico and the review of such matters by the United States.
        Article 21 of the Agreement outlines procedures for National 
    Administrative Offices to consult with one another about labor law in 
    the three countries, its administration, or labor market conditions. In 
    such consultations, a National Administrative Office must promptly 
    provide to another National Administrative Office publicly available 
    data or information, including: (a) Descriptions of laws, regulations, 
    procedures, policies or practices; (b) proposed changes to such 
    procedures, policies or practices; and (c) such clarifications and 
    explanations related to such matters, as may assist the consulting 
    National Administrative Office to better understand and respond to the 
    issues raised.
        On December 30, 1993 the Department published a notice of 
    establishment and request for comments. 58 FR 69410. The notice 
    announced the establishment of the U.S. National Administrative Office, 
    effective January 1, 1994, discussed its responsibilities, and set out 
    a tentative framework to be utilized in regard to the public 
    submission, review, and reporting responsibilities of the Office. 
    Public comments and suggestions were invited on procedural guidelines 
    for submitting and processing requests for review, with the comment 
    period ending on February 15, 1994.
        Two sets of comments were timely received from the following 
    organization:
    
    --The Industrial Relations Committee of the U.S. Council for 
    International Business (the Business Roundtable's Task Force on Human 
    Resources and International Trade and Investment concurred in these 
    comments, and they were also endorsed by the international labor 
    affairs group of the National Association of Manufacturers); and
    --The International Labor Rights Education and Research Fund.
    
        The Department has carefully reviewed and considered the comments 
    in revising the earlier notice and developing the procedural 
    guidelines. The revised notice is set out below.
        One year from the date of publication in the Federal Register of 
    the revised notice, the Department will undertake a review of the 
    operation and procedures of the U.S. National Administrative Office.
    
        Signed at Washington, DC, on April 1, 1994.
    Robert B. Reich,
    Secretary of Labor.
    
    Revised Notice of Establishment of U.S. National Administrative Office 
    and Procedural Guidelines
    
        Section A. Establishment.--
        1. Effective January 1, 1994, there is established, within the 
    Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) of the Department of 
    Labor, the U.S. National Administrative Office, as required by the 
    North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation between the Government of 
    the United States of America, the Government of Canada, and the 
    Government of the United Mexican States.
        2. The Secretary of Labor shall designate the Secretary of the 
    Office, who shall have expertise or experience in labor matters or 
    other appropriate disciplines.
        Section B. Definitions.--
        As used herein:
        ``Agreement'' means the North American Agreement on Labor 
    Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America, the 
    Government of Canada, and the Government of the United Mexican States 
    signed at Mexico City, Washington, and Ottawa on September 8, 9, 12, 
    and 14, 1993;
        ``another Party'' or ``other Parties'' means a Party or Parties 
    other than the United States of America;
        ``Council'' means the Council of the Commission for Labor 
    Cooperation established under Article 8 of the Agreement;
        ``Evaluation Committee of Experts'' means an Evaluation Committee 
    of Experts established under Article 23 of the Agreement;
        ``labor law'' means ``labor law'' as defined in Article 49 of the 
    Agreement;
        ``labor organization'' includes any organization of any kind, 
    including such local, national, and international organizations or 
    federations, in which employees participate and which exists for the 
    purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with employers concerning 
    grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours, or other terms 
    or conditions of employment;
        ``non-governmental organization'' means any scientific, 
    professional, business, non-profit, or public interest organization or 
    association which is neither affiliated with, nor under the direction 
    of, a government;
        ``Office'' means the U.S. National Administrative Office;
        ``Party'' means a Party to the Agreement;
        ``publicly available information'' means ``publicly available 
    information'' as defined in Article 49 of the Agreement;
        ``person'' includes one or more individuals, non-governmental 
    organizations, labor organizations, partnerships, associations, 
    corporations, or legal representatives;
        ``Secretariat'' means the Secretariat of the Commission for Labor 
    Cooperation established under Article 8 of the Agreement; and
        ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the U.S. National 
    Administrative Office.
        Section C. Functions of the Office.--
        1. The Office shall provide assistance to the Secretary of Labor on 
    all matters concerning the Agreement, including the development and 
    implementation of cooperative activities under Article 11, as set out 
    in Section D.
        2. The Office shall serve as a point of contact with agencies of 
    the United States Government, the National Administrative Offices of 
    the other Parties, the Secretariat, and the Council.
        3. The Office shall promptly provide publicly available information 
    requested by the Secretariat for reports and studies under Article 14 
    of the Agreement, by a National Administrative Office of another Party, 
    or by an Evaluation Committee of Experts.
        4. The Office shall receive, accept for review, and review 
    submissions on labor law matters arising in the territory of another 
    Party, as set out in Sections F, G, and H.
        5. The Office may, at the discretion of the Secretary, initiate a 
    review of any matter covered by the Agreement.
        6. The Office may request consultations with the National 
    Administrative Office of another Party in relation to that Party's 
    labor law, its administration of the law, or labor market conditions in 
    its territory, under Article 21(1) of the Agreement; as set out in 
    Article 21(2), shall respond to requests for consultations made by 
    another Party under Article 21(1); and shall participate in 
    consultations conducted under Article 21(3) as appropriate.
        7. The Office shall publish periodic and special reports, as set 
    out in Section J, collect and maintain information on labor law matters 
    involving another Party, and compile materials concerning labor law 
    legislation of another Party.
        8. The Office shall consider the views of committees established 
    under Article 17 or 18 of the Agreement.
        9. The Office shall consult with appropriate entities of the U.S. 
    government.
        Section D. Cooperation.--
        1. The Office shall conduct at all times its activities in 
    accordance with the principles of cooperation and respect embodied in 
    the Agreement. In its dealings with the National Administrative Office 
    of the other Parties and all persons, the Office shall endeavor to the 
    maximum extent possible to resolve matters through consultation and 
    cooperation.
        2. The Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of the National 
    Administrative Office of the appropriate Party or Parties at all states 
    of the submission and review process set out in Sections G and H in 
    order to obtain information and resolve issues that may arise.
        3. The Office shall assist the Secretary of Labor in developing and 
    implementing cooperative activities under Article 11 of the Agreement, 
    which may include seminars, training sessions, working groups, 
    conferences, joint research projects (including sectoral studies), and 
    technical assistance, and may be carried out through such other means 
    as the Parties may agree. In deciding which cooperative activities 
    should be promoted by the Council under Article 11, the Secretary of 
    Labor shall give due regard to the recommendations of the Office.
        4. The Office shall receive and consider suggestions for 
    cooperative activities submitted by any person.
        Section E. Information.--
        1. The Secretary shall maintain a reading room where submissions, 
    public files, transcripts of hearings, Federal Register notices, 
    reports, advisory committee information, and other public information 
    shall be available for inspection during normal business hours, subject 
    to the terms and conditions of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 
    552.
        2. Information submitted by a person to the Office in confidence 
    shall be treated as exempt from public inspection if the information 
    meets the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552(b). Each person requesting such 
    treatment shall clearly mark ``submitted in confidence'' on each page 
    or portion of a page so submitted and furnish an explanation as to the 
    need for exemption from public inspection. If the material is not 
    accepted in confidence it will be returned promptly to the submitter 
    with an explanation for the action taken.
        3. The Office shall be sensitive to the needs of individuals' 
    confidentiality and shall make every effort to protect such interests.
        Section F. Submissions.--
        1. Any person may file a submission with the Office regarding labor 
    law matters arising in the territory of another Party. A single copy is 
    satisfactory for filing. Filing may be by hand delivery, mail delivery, 
    or facsimile transmission.
        2. The submission shall identify clearly the person filing the 
    submission and shall be signed and dated. It shall state with 
    specificity the matters that the submitter requests the Office to 
    consider and include supporting information available to the submitter. 
    To the fullest extent possible, the submission shall address and 
    explain whether:
        (a) the matters complained of appear to demonstrate action 
    inconsistent with another Party's obligations under Part II of the 
    Agreement;
        (b) there has been harm to the submitter or other persons, and, if 
    so, to what extent;
        (c) the matters complained of appear to demonstrate a pattern of 
    non-enforcement of labor law by another Party;
        (d) relief has been sought under the domestic laws of another 
    Party, and, if so, the status of any legal proceedings; and
        (e) the matters complained of are pending before an international 
    body.
        Section G. Acceptance of Submissions.--
        1. Within 60 days after the filing of a submission, the Secretary 
    shall determine whether to accept the submission for review. The 
    Secretary may communicate with the submitter during this period 
    regarding any matter relating to the determination.
        2. In general, the Secretary shall accept a submission for review 
    if it raises issues relevant to labor law matters in the territory of 
    another Party and if a review would further the objectives of the 
    Agreement.
        3. The Secretary may decline to accept a submission for review if:
        (a) the submission does not identify clearly the person filing the 
    submission, is not signed and dated, or is not sufficiently specific to 
    determine the nature of the request and permit an appropriate review;
        (b) the statements contained in the submission, even if 
    substantiated, would not constitute a failure of another Party to 
    comply with its obligations under Part II of the Agreement;
        (c) the statements contained in the submission or available 
    information demonstrates that appropriate relief has not been sought 
    under the domestic laws of another Party, or that the matter or a 
    related matter is pending before an international body; or
        (d) the submission is substantially similar to a recent submission 
    and significant, new information has not been made available.
        4. If the Secretary accepts a submission for review, the Secretary 
    shall publish promptly in the Federal Register a notice of the 
    determination, a statement specifying why review is warranted, and the 
    terms of the review, and notify promptly in writing such persons as may 
    be appropriate.
        5. If the Secretary declines to accept a submission for review, the 
    Secretary shall notify promptly in writing the submitter and provide 
    the reasons for the determination.
        Section H. Reviews and Public Reports.--
        1. Following a determination by the Secretary to accept a 
    submission for review, the Office shall conduct such further 
    examination of the submission as may be appropriate to assist the 
    Office to better understand and publicly report on the issues raised. 
    The Office shall keep the submitter apprised of the status of the 
    review.
        2. Except for information exempt from public inspection pursuant to 
    Section E, information relevant to the review shall be placed in a 
    public file. Information exempt from public inspection shall be placed 
    in a separate file.
        3. The Secretary shall hold promptly a hearing on the submission, 
    unless the Secretary determines that a hearing would not be a suitable 
    method for carrying out the Office's responsibilities under paragraph 
    1.
        4. Notice of a hearing under paragraph 3 shall be published in the 
    Federal Register 30 days in advance. The notice shall contain such 
    information as the Secretary deems relevant, including information 
    pertaining to requests to present oral testimony and written briefs.
        5. The hearing shall be open to the public. All proceedings shall 
    be conducted in English, with simultaneous translation provided as the 
    Secretary deems necessary.
        6. The hearing shall be conducted by the Secretary or the 
    Secretary's designee, assisted by the Office staff and legal counsel, 
    as appropriate. The public file shall be made part of the hearing 
    record at the commencement of the hearing.
        7. The Secretary of the National Administrative Office of another 
    Party, or such Secretary's designee, may participate in the hearing.
        8. Within 120 days of the acceptance of a submission for review, 
    unless circumstances require an extension of time of up to 60 
    additional days, the Secretary shall issue a public report, which shall 
    include a summary of the proceedings and any findings and 
    recommendations.
        Section I. Recommendations to the Secretary of Labor.--
        1. If, after consultations under Article 21 of the Agreement, the 
    Secretary determines that the matter has not been resolved 
    satisfactorily, the Secretary shall recommend that the Secretary of 
    Labor request consultations at the ministerial level under Article 22 
    of the Agreement.
        2. If, following ministerial consultations under Article 22 of the 
    Agreement, the Secretary determines that the matter has not been 
    resolved satisfactorily and is within the scope of Article 23 of the 
    Agreement, the Secretary shall recommend that the Secretary of Labor 
    request that an Evaluation Committee of Experts be established under 
    Article 23.
        3. If, following presentation of a final Evaluation Committee of 
    Experts report under Article 26(1) of the Agreement, the Secretary 
    determines that the matter has not been resolved satisfactorily, the 
    Secretary shall provide recommendations to the Secretary of Labor 
    regarding pursuit of dispute resolution under Part Five of the 
    Agreement. Before making such recommendations, the Secretary shall 
    consult with appropriate entities of the U.S. government.
        Section J. Periodic and Special Reports.--
        1. The Office shall publish annually a list of submissions on labor 
    law matters, including a summary of the disposition of the submissions.
        2. The Office shall obtain the lists of public communications on 
    labor law matters published by the National Administrative Offices of 
    the other Parties under Article 16(3) of the Agreement and make such 
    lists available at the Office's reading room.
        3. The Office may publish special reports on any topic under its 
    purview on its own initiative, or upon request from the Secretary of 
    Labor, including reviews of the effectiveness of labor law enforcement 
    in the territories of the other Parties.
    
    [FR Doc. 94-8297 Filed 4-6-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4510-28-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
04/07/1994
Department:
Labor Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Revised notice of establishment and procedural guidelines.
Document Number:
94-8297
Dates:
April 1, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: April 7, 1994