Mexican president promises AFl-CIO head new labour policy

MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Andre?s Manuel Lo?pez Obrador has met with the head of the largest U.S. labour group, the AFL-CIO.

Lo?pez Obrador’s office said Wednesday he promised AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka that Mexico will enforce new, stricter labour laws. He also called for ratification of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement.

The labour law changes seek to eliminate the longstanding practice in which pro-company “protection” unions sign contracts behind workers’ backs.

Companies often find or form compliant unions and sign contracts before they even open factories in Mexico.

Unions will now have to publish public notices about upcoming contract votes and provide prior information to union members.

The new law came amid pressure on Mexico to tighten its labour rules as part of the new trade agreement.