More Updates

Guatemalan workers win back pay and severance, but Target still owes US$6 million in stolen social security payments

Sep 30, 2026 —

Former KOA Modas workers (WRC).

Following the release of investigative reports and significant engagement by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), local unions and labour rights organizations, former workers at two different factories in Guatemala have achieved at least partial remedy for serious labour rights violations.

Employer Guidance on Freedom of Association in Mexico (2024-2026)

Jul 23, 2026 —

Mexico’s May 2019 labour justice reform opened the door to a new era in labour relations. To encourage greater understanding and respect for the reformed Federal Labour Law, the Mexico Committee prepared and adopted an Employer Guidance tool on Freedom of Association (FOA) and Collective Bargaining that was published in June 2024.  

Camino Rojo case highlights urgent need for improvements in Rapid Response Mechanism

Jun 1, 2026 —

Photo: Voz Minera Radio

On March 26, the three-member expert panel in the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) case initiated by the US government against Canadian mining company Orla Mining published its determination confirming worker allegations that management at its Camino Rojo mine in Mexico’s Zacatecas state had interfered with their associational rights. 

Resource Kit on Freedom of Association in Mexico (MSN)

Apr 27, 2026 —


The Resource Kit on Freedom of Association (FOA) in Mexico provides detailed policies and procedures employers should adopt and implement to ensure compliance with their legal obligations under Mexico’s 2019 reformed Federal Labor Law, as well as International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions that have been ratified by Mexico.

The Kit includes an FOA Guide and a series of brief Fact Sheets and Recommendations on how to prevent and remediate common violations of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights in Mexico.

Publications on Mexico’s ongoing constitutional reform to the labour justice system

Apr 26, 2026 —

MSN has been working with our allies in Mexico to monitor developments related to the Mexican government’s February 2017 Constitutional Reform to the labour justice system and to encourage discussion and debate about the reforms and their implementation, as well as the implications they have for workers and employers.

Factory closures in Central America devastate garment workers and unions

Jan 8, 2026 —

Union members call on Fruit of the Loom to reopen the
Jerzees Nuevo Día factory in Honduras.

Workers call on Lucky Brand to address severance theft
after the closure of the Industrial Hana factory in Guatemala.

Workers call on Disney and their Grey's Anatomy brand to ensure full payment
of severance owed after the closure of Industrias Florenzi in El Salvador.

The past five years have seen major disruptions in the global garment industry, including the global pandemic in 2020, the growth of fast fashion and e-commerce, widespread closures and mass layoffs, the expansion of private equity-controlled brand management companies, and more recently, sweeping changes to global trade starting in 2025.*

The wave of factory closures and mass layoffs in garment manufacturing facilities in Central America has had a devastating impact on garment workers, their families and their unions.

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