By Daina Solomon

MEXICO CITY (Reuters). – U.S. Labor officials have asked Mexico to inquire whether labor rights were being denied to workers at a Panasonic OTC: auto parts factory. It is the third labor claim filed by U.S. under a recent trade deal that aims for better working conditions in Mexico.

After a Mexican union petitioned last month the U.S. Government to investigate Panasonic’s northern border town of Reynosa and allege violations of the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, (USMCA), the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), requested that the U.S. trade representative (USTR).

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai wrote to Tatiana Clouthier, Mexico’s Economy Minister, to express concern that workers are being denied the right to collective bargaining and free association at Panasonic Automotive Systems de Mexico.

Panasonic Corp of North America claimed in a statement, that it supports and respects the rights of our employees to collective bargaining and freedom of association. It also stated it didn’t believe these rights were being denied.

Japanese industrial conglomerate unit said that it will “continue complying with all legal requirements…and cooperating with authorities as required by the Mexican government in its review.”

Tai mentioned that previous labor complaints filed under “Rapid Response Method” by the USMCA, which seeks to resolve disputes quickly, had resulted in benefits for workers.

“When concerns arise, we will work swiftly to stand up for workers on both sides of the border,” Tai said in a statement.

Mexico’s labor and economy ministries didn’t immediately reply to our requests for comment. Mexico has 10 days for a decision on whether or not to review.

SNITIS Mexican Union, which requested the inquiry, claimed that Panasonic signed a contract with the union behind workers’ backs, and fired several dozen protestors.