MEXICO CITY, (Reuters) – The U.S. should be taking stronger steps to combat discrimination and sexual harassment in the temporary work programs of migrants, an advocacy group representing Mexican women who have suffered such abuse stated on Thursday.

According to the Center for Migrant Rights, although meetings were held by the U.S., Mexican and Mexican governments in order to resolve a petition last year on the issue, these efforts didn’t go far enough.

Reporters were told by Rachel Michah Jones (executive director) that a year had passed without much action and lots of talk.

Thursday’s report highlights sexual harassment claims against women in agricultural jobs.

Daria Hernandez, one of Daria’s female colleagues, said that she has seen “many situations in which women are suffering” over her 13-year career.

She said that she saw male supervisors harassing women at Maryland’s crab processing plants and threatened to send them to Mexico or report them if they didn’t comply.

The petition, which was filed last year, urged Mexico that it seeks remedies from the U.S. under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. This agreement has more labor-friendly provisions than the 2020 trade pact.

Mexico’s Labor Ministry and U.S. Department of Labor didn’t immediately reply to inquiries for comment.

Mexican and U.S. authorities previously pledged to respect the rights of migrants.

Micah Jones said that Mexico could ask for further investigation from a panel of dispute resolution established under the USMCA.

Adareli Ponce signed the petition last year. Ponce worked under a temporary program at U.S. crawfish and chocolate businesses.

She claimed she never received a response about a job as a farmer she applied last year. However, later she saw other men working in the same field.

She stated that she had not witnessed a woman given the same chance in her latest center report. Furthermore, many of the farm jobs advertised for are only available to men.