The video I watched was titled “Maquilapolis,” It was
about women in Mexico who work for giant corporations. The video showed how
large companies like Sanyo, and Panasonic established factories in Tijuana,
Mexico. These large companies were attracted to the area because of the
inexpensive labor force that Mexico provided, allowing the companies to recruit
lots of women who had little to no skills and to be able to get away with not
having to pay competitive wages. One woman in the video named Carmen worked in
the Sanyo factory and was only paid $68 per week, which she supported herself
and her three young children. Carmen also explained how the working conditions
of the factory were a problem and how the company did not care to provide a
safe work environment for the works. She explained how she suffered from lead
and chemical sicknesses and how she would go home from work still smelling of
dangerous chemicals. For Carmen it came to a point where she had to pick
between continuing to work in factories or to stay healthy for her children. This
is disappointing to see that these multi-million dollar companies are going to
such severe ends in order to make maximum profit, while ignoring safety and
worker rights. The fact that in Carmen’s case where Sanyo later ignored giving
the workers the heads up that they were moving to another country and instead
left them to work for another company without giving them acceptable wages is
upsetting. These companies are following the countries with the lowest cost of
labor and in doing so are creating more issues for the workers they abandon.
These companies also have taken things a step further
and have not only exploited the workers but have also used the relaxed laws of
Mexico to also not have to comply with environmental safety. As was the case in
Lordes’s story, were she was fighting against the companies who were leaving
their hazardous waste behind in her community. It is shocking to see but it is
a reality that I have seen first- hand while visiting my own family in Mexico.
The companies do not care what they are doing to the environment or the people
in Mexico, they only see the easy way and feel that since the people have been
living with the situation so far, then it is okay. The government also has a large part in this
issue because many people don’t understand that Mexico is not only poor but
much of the political officials are corrupted. The people live without electricity,
water, and have to burn their trash to get rid of it. But on top of everything
you add into that the abandoned factories that exist throughout Mexico and all
of the harmful waste that sits there and how it impacts the health of the
communities surrounding it. Many people are left with no hope of seeing
meaningful change because they are living in such severe poverty.
Interesting. With immigration being such a hot topic I think that Americans forget just how impoverished Mexico still is today. We seem to forget that Mexicans come to the US for opportunity for a reason. I saw first hand in travels to Mexico how the government oppresses the average worker. I was fortunate enough to work with a company that took very good care of their employees to the extent that a water powered generator at the facility could have provided free electricity to the entire town because the town was supported by this business. However, the government would not allow the company to give them free electricity only partial (25%)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your observations and experiences. Lets hope these types of issues continue to get notice and work towards change.
Eloisa,
ReplyDeleteThe raw reality of corporate greed is sickening! These companies would rather see the downfall of America with rampant unemployment and put lives at risk in Mexico just for another dollar. Dena has an interesting point: we do sometimes forget that Mexicans come to the US for a reason! People here are resentful and angry at the government for our current economy and will find any place to aim their anger. I always shake my head when I hear people say, "I don't have a problem with immigrants...they should just do it legally." But, most people don't have any idea how immigration really works. The poorest, most exploited, suppressed people of Mexico CANNOT "just do it legally". They do not have that opportunity without sponsorship. Anyway, that's another topic for another day. The point is: compassion is a lost art in our society. And so is loyalty. Corporate greed is out of control.
Elouisa,
ReplyDeleteThe working condition of these companies is so disappointing and it is so sad that they pay that low for working hard in such a circumstance. I think these big companies just think about the money and their own benefits. They do not care about the worker’s safety because there is no law to protect the right of employee and workers. As you said poverty and government has a big role in this situation. Many people work in these bad conditions because they do not have any other choices and even the small amount of money that these companies pay is better than nothing for them. Thanks for sharing these information with us.
Rozita
Elouisa, thank you for your blog on labor practices and corporate greed. This issue appears to be getting worse. My husband is a machinist and has worked for three different companies in North Texas that have closed it's doors and moved to Mexico. His last company had a very difficult time training unskilled laborers to use the machines which caused production to be lower. They also had problems with million dollar machines getting broken because the lack of experience and education costing the company tens of millions of dollars. The government also gives tax breaks to companies to move into other countries. I think it's time Government took care of Americans and give corporations incentives to keep industry here. Amy
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