The USMCA and the Third Generation of Labor Arrangements: From previous Experiences in Latin America to the Foreseeable Future for Mexican Industrial Relations.

Abstract

In North America there is a new regulatory framework aimed at rethinking the terms of trade between Canada, Mexico and the United States, and affecting their labor relations. This study is aimed at evaluating the conditions under which the transition to a new labor model is taking place in Mexico, based on previous experience and six U.S. trade agreements with 11 Latin American and Caribbean countries. The evidence gathered shows that the changes produced so far are limited and focused on strategic transnational industries such as the automotive industry. It is therefore argued that a transformation of labor relations will only occur if and only if the legislative changes are supported and processed by the different stakeholders involved -i.e., a bottom-up orchestration that can be extended and supported by civil society.