A diverse range of Latino and non-Latino congressional lawmakers have called on U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez to investigate inappropriate labor practices by a Mexican grocery company.

Spearheaded by Rep. Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif., letters were sent to Perez and Secretary of State John Kerry to expedite an inquiry into Mexico's third largest retailer, Grupo Comercial Chedraui. The retailer owns El Super grocery store, which operates in 50 locations across Arizona, California and Nevada. The letter, also signed by Democratic Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, Norma Torres, Tony Cardenas of California and Ruben Gallego and Raul Grijalva of Arizona, claimed the Mexican retailer violated labor rights, which described as "extremely concerning."

The House lawmakers said Chedraui's workers are unaware of unions affiliated with the retailer and have not benefitted from union contracts. Chedraui has allegedly inquired about an individual's pregnancy status in order to disqualify them from employment, while "volunteer packers" are only paid in tips without labor protections or security.

"These practices are ongoing and workers have no ability under the current legal system to form independent unions and challenge unjust working conditions. The Mexican government has failed to meaningfully reform its labor laws and to effectively enforce its laws," wrote the lawmakers, adding that the U.S. and Mexican governments have to abide by the trade standards outlined in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC).

While the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) has been conducting an investigation on Chedraui, through the bureau's Office of Trade and Labor Affairs, the lawmakers want a quicker response to the investigation. The lawmakers, as part of the ILAB investigation, requests an arrangement of public hearings in U.S. jurisdictions, such as southern California, to hear testimony of Mexican witnesses.

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