Special to A.M. Costa Rica

The United States will commit $39.6 million to enhance the labor and environmental protection practices of the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade countries to ensure that a broad spectrum within these societies benefits from the trade agreement, according to the State Department.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Thursday that the United States will pay for both local and regional projects that have been identified in consultation with governments involved in the treaty to ensure support for priorities. of labor will be earmarked for eliminating gender and other types of workplace discrimination, supporting the development of a culture of compliance with labor laws, and reducing chemical-exposure risks for workers.

Of the 2006 funding, $21 million will be devoted to labor issues, including support for programs to strengthen labor ministries by professionalizing labor inspectorates and to increase the efficiency of complaint handling within labor ministries. Funds also will be allocated to enhance the effective enforcement of existing labor laws by judicial systems in treaty nations. Other funds devoted to the area

Of the remaining 2006 funds, $18.5 million will go to projects that seek to improve the implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, enhance biodiversity and conservation and promote market-based conservation such as sustainable tourism. These funds also will support programs to increase private-sector environmental performance and address specific treaty environmental obligations.

The overall 2005-2006 U.S. commitment of nearly $60 million “will promote economic growth in the region and help ensure that a broad spectrum of the societies of member countries realize the benefits of free trade,” the State Department said.

Costa Rica’s Asamblea Legislative has not yet voted on the treaty.