Mexican labor laws don’t mean squat to foreign owners

The Muebles Fino workers in Tijuana are still upset. I recently went to a gathering they held outside of the now closed maquila where some of them built furniture for over 15 years.

The rain kept most away, but the dozen or so workers and supporters who showed up were fervent in their demands for compensation. Mexican labor law, you see, demands the company give the longtime employees a severance payment.

According to the spokesperson I talked to, only a few of the workers have been paid any money and all. None have been paid what they’re owed. Somehow, though, the owners, a company called California FineWood Co. based in Carson, Calif., manages to pay the three or four security guards we saw blocking the entrance to the defunct maquila. There is still furniture and expensive equipment inside, which the workers argue should be sold off to pay the severance packages. Apparently, the California-based owners feel as though paying the security guards is a better use of their money.

The factory has been closed for nearly a year now and the case of the workers is still caught up in the equivalent of the Tijuana labor board. According to signs posted on the maquila, however, the company says the deadline for payment has past.

Unfortunately, this is just one example of how the Mexican labor laws are trampled on by foreign owners who use Mexico as their assembly plants.

Support Tijuana Maquiladora Worker’ struggle

“Stairs to Somewhere” by Kinsee Morlan

 

 

What ever happened to caring about workers’ rights? See below.

 

 

Kinsee

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Support Tijuana Maquiladora Worker’ struggleYou are invited to Muebles Fino workers party

Muebles Fino Workers have been in strike for a year.

They demand a severance payment that the company has to pay according to the Mexican labor law.

Muebles Fino is a maquiladora owned by California FineWood Co. (Headquarter: Carson, CA)

Some workers have more than 15 years working for the company.

The Party

When: Sunday, Nov. 11, 1-6 pm

Where: Tijuana, in front of the factory

7550 1st Street, Tijuana

Directions from San Diego (San Ysidro Gate): Move toward the right lane as you cross the border so that you get under the sign that reads “Paseo de los Heroes”. Take Paseo de los Heroes through 4 traffic circles and then about seven traffic lights (the street changes its name after the traffic circles to Blvd. Federico Benitez). Go on Blvd. Federico Benitez for about 15/20 minutes. Turn left on Blvd. San Martin. Turn right on the first street (Calle 1-First Street). The factory is located at the end of the block.

Check: www.maps-of-mexico.com/mapquest.shtml

Click: Tijuana

In Mapquest Tijuana, from the San Ysidro International Border Gate, follow the beige avenue: Caracol Zona del Rio, then follow the beige avenue: Avenida Paseo de los Heroes, then follow Blvd.Benitez.

A Party to support Muebles Fino Workers

Latin American folk music: Anibal

Rock: Mano de Obra

Marcial Arts, bingo, sea food, Mexican food, games, tamales, kids art, more…

 

More information

Tijuana: 664-622-4269 (In Spanish)

San Diego: 619-388-3634