Substantive advances such as wage increases exist alongside serious deficiencies in working conditions & institutions: a lack of labour inspectors, undemocratic unions, growing informality and the privatized pension system.
Despite armed attacks, police collusion & an unsympathetic state (to say the least), the strike at Tornel continues as over a thousand workers square off against an exploitative, aggressive transnational.
The health of four out of every ten workers in Mexico is seriously threatened by excessive workloads and working hours.
1,850 workers have not received their salaries for seven months, but they reject the government’s proposal for arbitration and demand the employer respect their collective bargaining agreement.
National unions such as CNTE, SME and unions representing PEMEX and TelMex workers participated in multiple marches which converged on the Zócalo.
In March, striking workers were attacked on the picket line by an armed shock group who shot four workers.
“Unity is not only found at the dialogue table but also at this event of workers and workers,” Isaías González of CROC stated.
Secretary Delgado says “there is no need for demonstrations” in the streets, but stressed, “we are respectful” of the decisions they make.
Unions say the priority is for the President to hear firsthand the needs of the workers and improve their conditions “in a more real sense”.
Mexico’s Secretary of Education worries for the success of the ostensible international sporting event marked by proximity to, & encouragement of, human trafficking, labour exploitation, real estate speculation and fascist collaboration.