United States

After a 17-month hiatus, the U.S. government says that it is renewing the complaint process against Guatemala under the CAFTA-DR agreement alleging that the country has done little to step up enforcement of its labor laws. The issue dates back to 2011 when the U.S. requested an arbitral panel under the agreement to address Guatemala’s lack of enforcement. The countries ultimately agreed to suspend the arbitration plan in favor of an enforcement agreement signed in April of last year, though the U.S. says little progress has been made. Officials in Guatemala are expected to submit their brief within the next month and a hearing will likely take place in January. (Sandler, Travis, and Rosenberg)

On November 14, The Virginia Arts of the Book Center in Charlottesville will exhibit two quilts honoring victims of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, the 2012 Tazreen Factory Fire in Bangladesh, and the 2013 collapse of Rana Plaza, also in Bangladesh. The quilts, designed by historian and activist Robin Berson, are composed of various images and documents memorializing the tragedies and their victims as well as panels to raise awareness about labor rights issues. (Virginia Humanities)