The Government of Mexico encourages expansion and modernization of PTAT with Canada – ContraRéplica

Within the framework of the 49th Intergovernmental Program Evaluation Meeting, the Government of Mexico invited all actors involved in the operation of the Temporary Agricultural Worker Program (PTAT) with Canada, to evaluate it annually and with the aim of updating it and expanding its scope to include other countries. sectors to enhance their benefits with the fiftieth anniversary of its establishment.

At the meeting, the Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, Marath Bolaños Lopez, and the Head of Unit for North America, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, chaired the meeting, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alicia Bárcenas, as well as the Deputy Representative. The Minister of Employment of the Department of Employment and Social Development of Canada, Michael McVeigh, raised the urgent need to harmonize The structure and regulations of this program align with the new Canadian labor regulations.

The STPS president stressed that Mexico is witnessing a renewal of workers’ rights, with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador committed to improving conditions for our workers and recognizing the value of the workforce as one of its great strongholds in the country. In this sense, the PTAT must be updated to improve the working and health conditions of those traveling to this country.

“We have had very good cooperation and points of support with the Government of Canada to operationalize this mechanism well and I believe we can give great lessons to the world from what we have done together, not only governments but also employers and workers,” said Secretary Bolaños, which has allowed 124,403 workers to be appointed to this administration. And in 2023 to 26039.

These workers have a high level of specialization in agricultural work and in Canada their expertise and the Mexican workforce are recognized; He stressed that it was recognized that there was a window of opportunity within the framework of the 50th anniversary of the PTAT Treaty to envisage the opening of economic activities apart from agricultural activities, such as construction or tourism.

For his part, the head of the North American Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Roberto Velasco Alvarez, expressed that for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs it is necessary to ensure that it is a mechanism for human mobility, so the priority and constant consideration is to put the worker at the center of the negotiations. “Protecting our population, and in this case the working population, will always be a priority for the Government of Mexico. Therefore, we want to continue working together to strengthen and modernize the PTAT.

Photo: Government of Mexico