Release of the Presidential Memorandum on Advancing Worker Empowerment, Rights, and High Labor Standards Globally

The Department of State will begin implementing key actions from President Biden’s Presidential Memorandum on Advancing Worker Empowerment, Rights, and High Labor Standards Globally. Labor rights are integral to building democracy, achieving economic growth, strengthening supply chain resilience, and leveling the playing field for American workers and companies.

This new whole-of-government approach will advance worker empowerment and unions, in line with President Biden’s policies here at home. The Presidential Memorandum for the first time directs Chiefs of Mission and Department officials to directly engage in labor diplomacy and enhancing programming and public messaging on workers and labor rights. The Department’s efforts to advance internationally recognized workers’ rights will be carried out alongside interagency partners, including U.S. Department of Labor. This Memorandum is intended to raise global labor standards, building on the full range of existing authorities and tools in diplomacy, foreign assistance and programming, law enforcement, and global trade and economic cooperation, consistent with relevant international obligations and commitments.