In March 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) terminated all contracts under its International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) division, including the Sustentar project, led by SAI. We recognize the significant contributions and investments made by all our partners and stakeholders, and we deeply regret the impact this unexpected decision may have had on your organizations and communities.
Sustentar launched in May 2022, working to address forced labor and child labor in Mexico’s tomato and chile pepper sectors by working closely with companies to build and improve strong sustainability systems – supported by worker voice and engagement with communities.
To achieve this mission, we implemented a holistic methodology to address labor challenges both inside and outside of the workplace – from implementing capacity building initiatives with our private sector partners to forming Community Circles to develop locally owned, relevant solutions. We also kicked off an awareness-raising campaign with a radio announcement about child labor on a local station in Baja California, reaching nearly 30,000 listeners.
We would like to thank all stakeholders for their partnership and dedication to the Sustentar project. Due to the project’s early closure, we were not able to have the broad impact we hoped for – but we are proud to reflect on the meaningful work completed, which was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Sustentar project team and many stakeholders committed to improving the lives of workers in Mexico.
Project Impact
29 companies worked with Sustentar to complete baseline assessments of their Social Compliance Systems and develop improvement plans. All 29 companies also established Social Performance Teams (SPTs), who were responsible for coordinating internal improvement efforts and supported by the Sustentar team through training, practical tools, and technical assistance. 177 managers and supervisors within SPTs were trained on elements of Social Compliance Systems to help strengthen international structures that support ongoing labor rights performance.
1,837 private sector stakeholders and workers were trained on child labor, forced labor, and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. These sessions reached agricultural workers, recruiters, supervisors, and management personnel, aiming to strengthen their understanding of labor standards and how these relate to both national and international legal frameworks.
In Chihuahua, Sustentar partnered with a medium-scale chile pepper farm that wanted to provide educational services to the children of their workers. For the past three years, they had been trying to secure a mobile classroom that sat unused on a nearby ranch, knowing that it would be especially useful during harvest season.
In March 2024, the Sustentar team visited the empty classroom to assess its condition and identify relevant local government agencies responsible for its management. Sustentar then guided the farm’s management through the process of submitting official requests for its transfer, which successfully occurred in August 2024. The Sustentar team helped to identify food for the students through a local government agency and two teachers, including one who had previously been working on the farm in agricultural roles. Together, they began providing educational services to 50 students.
11 Community Circles were formed in worker communities to create spaces for dialogue where community members and leaders can identify local problems and develop and implement their own solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, 222 Community Circle members were trained on social compliance and remediation. The Sustentar team also facilitated a tool called Photovoice with Community Circles, which enabled members to document and reflect on local issues through photography.
Three Community Circles in San Quintín came together in February 2025 to share their experiences and build solidarity in addressing labor challenges faced by indigenous agricultural workers. The event included capacity building components and celebrated the results of Photovoice and progress made by the Community Circles, which included the preparation of formal requests to authorities and growers to improve access to water, street lighting, health services, and safe transport.
Participants expressed that working with Sustentar had helped them visualize their communities’ issues more clearly and recognize the potential of collective action to promote dignified living and working conditions, as they realized that their challenges were shared across neighborhoods. The event concluded with a collective reflection and commitment to stay connected, share progress, and continue strengthening the community network.
Help Us Continue This Work
We’re looking for support to help us continue our work with Community Circles in Mexico. Please reach out to swilson@sa-intl.org for more information.
If you’re interested in working with SAI to implement training related to labor performance or other capacity building initiatives in your organization, please send us a message.
