Mexican citizens living in Virginia — regardless of their immigration status — are being helped by an outreach program designed to inform them of their workplace rights. The U.S. Department of Labor signed an agreement with an official from Mexico’s Consulate General in an effort to curb labor law violations. “There is no distinction made whether the worker is in the country legally or illegally. We don’t even ask that question,” said Bruce Clark, district director for the Labor Department’s Richmond office. Labor Department officials say Spanish-speaking workers are among the most likely to be taken advantage of by employers who fail to pay minimum wage or overtime because of communication problems or because they’re unaware they’re entitled to it. AP
