26K75IL000028

1) Creative Associates International, with faith-based subrecipient World Vision, presents Labor Enforcement and Verification for Equitable Labor Rights (LEVEL) to advance Mexico’s labor and trade commitments under the USMCA.

2) Purpose: LEVEL will strengthen labor law enforcement, improve private sector compliance, and empower workers to report violations and advocate for fair practices, wages, and working conditions in Mexico’s key trade sectors – ensuring American workers and businesses can compete on a level playing field in trade.

We will integrate robust data analysis with participatory mapping and assessments to identify priority states, sectors, and diverse stakeholders while fostering political will.

With expansion to two additional states in year 3, we anticipate our initial focus to be Baja California, Jalisco, and Puebla, working in sectors of high impact on and strategic relevance to the United States.

LEVEL will actively engage federal and state authorities, employer associations, and worker organizations to ensure broad-based ownership.

We are seeking the full award amount of 10 million USD to serve a projected number of 380 SMEs and 5,500 workers across three to four target sectors in five states.

3) Activities to be performed: LEVEL will engage all three groups of stakeholders – authorities, employers, and workers – to foster dialogue, build trust, and drive reforms through the following anticipated activities:

Federal and state authorities: We will strengthen federal and state labor inspectorates, the FCCLR, PROFEDET, and various state authorities by clarifying jurisdictions, institutionalizing coordination and referrals, modernizing systems, and expanding capacity building.

Employers and their associations: We will showcase the cost benefits of compliance to incentivize adoption and secure long-term commitment from employers.

In parallel, we will design and deliver compliance toolkits with employer associations, build capacities, promote voluntary compliance initiatives, and facilitate evidence-based dialogues to clarify obligations, reduce risks, and improve labor relations.

Workers and worker organizations: We will strengthen the capacity of worker organizations to recognize and report violations; train workers on their rights, reporting channels, and dispute resolution mechanisms; and develop user-friendly guides and digital tools to expand access to information.

In addition, we will accompany emerging democratic unions and worker committees through processes such as elections, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution.

4) Expected outcomes: The table below summarizes project objective, outcomes, and outputs:

Project objective: To reduce wage suppression and other unfair labor practices in key trade sectors in Mexico to allow American workers to compete on a level playing field in trade.

Outcome 1: Labor law enforcement is strengthened
- Protocols, internal guidelines, standards, checklists, and referral templates.
- Updated processes and improved systems.
- Competency standards.
- Training material and courses (virtual, in person, hybrid).

Outcome 2: Private sector – particularly SME compliance – is increased, particularly in sectors and regions tied to U.S. trade
- Dialogue sessions
- Roundtable discussions
- Networking opportunities

Outcome 3: Capacity of worker organizations and workers to identify and report violations and resolve labor disputes is enhanced

Outputs
- Toolkits, checklists, templates, and plain-language guides to simplify procedures for workers.

5) Intended beneficiaries: LEVEL will work with federal and state authorities, employer associations and SMEs, and worker organizations and workers.

6) Subrecipient activities: Creative has partnered with faith-based subrecipient World Vision. Building on their experience and presence in Mexico, World Vision.

Creative Associates International

OUTCOME(S) PROJECT OUTCOMES WILL BE DEVELOPED POST AWARD USING ILAB S THEORY OF SUSTAINED CHANGE.

17.401 - International Labor Programs

OASAM Office of Grants Management [DOL - OASAM]

Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILA) [DOL]

Mexico

Foreign

Leveling the Field for American Workers in U.S.-Mexico Trade (FOA-ILAB-25-43)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 31% from $11,646,119 to $15,292,238.