AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Labor is meeting with officials of the United States and Mexican governments regarding the rights of migrant farm workers.

Juan Perez-Febles, director of the Maine Department of Labor’s Migrant and Immigrant Services Division, was in Washington, D.C., Wednesday and will be again today to share his experiences working in cooperation with non-governmental groups and Mexican consulate officials to address the needs of migrant workers in Maine. Perez-Febles, a recognized authority on migrant workers, was invited to participate in the meetings by Lewis Karesh, acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs.

“These government-to-government exchanges are very beneficial in creating avenues of cooperation between the United States and Mexico on how to best promote the welfare of migrant agricultural workers in the United States,” said Perez-Febles.

As part of the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation, the United States has committed to a series of these government-to-government meetings with Mexican officials to exchange information about rights and protections afforded migrant agricultural workers.

The Maine Department of Labor’s Migrant and Immigrant Services Division coordinates services for migrant and foreign workers in Maine and their employers. This includes protecting the rights of migrant workers, coordinating authorization of foreign workers, and promoting awareness of the needs of migrant and immigrant workers throughout Maine. The Migrant and Immigrant Services division can be reached at 822-0152 or 772-7619.