Senate Dems Urge US Activation of Guatemala Labor Dispute Settlement Process

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative should “resume litigation” in the Guatemalan labor settlement process under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), said three Democratic Finance Committee members in an Aug. 27 statement. USTR gave Guatemala in recent days four more weeks to present documentation before the U.S. will reactivate the dispute process (see 14082602). “The latest deadline for Guatemala to demonstrate compliance with the labor enforcement plan is fast approaching,” said committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., along with Sens. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. “Guatemala should receive no further extensions.” Both sides endorsed a Labor Action Plan in 2013. The U.S. is able to impose sanctions on Guatemala for its failure to comply with CAFTA labor mandates, but that may limit Guatemalan exports to the U.S., said industry representatives (see 14082701).