La Jornada: Patricia Muñoz Ríos
Translated by Alejandro Aceves
A year after the movement of the day farm workers of San Quintin [Baja California], only a fraction has had a salary increase, working conditions have not changed and “slavery” continues in the fields, said the National and Democratic Independent Union of Agricultural Day Workers
The report First Year of Struggle says that companies such as Driscoll’s, Los Pinos and Northwest Industrial Production are refusing to recognize the union’s representation, they do not pay the agreed minimum wages and in addition continue hiring minors for harvest.
“All this without the labor authorities knowing”, the document added. It specifies that workers continue to be paid for piecework, according to what they harvest, or by the day, and continue not being registered with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), as they had been offered.
According to calculations of the organization, the salary of day farm workers and their families –children included- represent one percent of the companys’ total income. In regard to this, the companies and government authorities explain that if they gave increased salaries, it could only be a meager increase of 15 percent. However, they increased the tasks of the day farm workers. For example, the collectors of cucumbers and tomatoes, who were paid 70 pesos [US$4.00] daily, needed to fill an average of 80 containers of both products. They increased their income to 80 pesos [US$4.60, but now they have to fill 110 containers, i.e., in real terms, they lowered their wages.
For the base pay they receive they have to deliver 50 containers. The remainder are paid by weight. Practically few companies are covering the minimum wage of 180 pesos [US$10.40] set in the agreement of the Secretary of Government Relations a year ago.
Moreover, the majority of workplaces charge the workers rent, food, gas, use of stove, water, transportation, tools they use in their activities, cigarettes and refreshments. “It is slavery” denounced the organization.
It affirms that day farm workers continue living in sheds with their families, without hygiene and safety measures in the companies. Most come from the south of the country and have not been affiliated with the IMSS. Meanwhile, working hours are usually 12 hours –usually from 5 in the morning to 5pm- and they are exposed to contact with chemicals from fertilizers and fumigants. They even charge for the tools they use, the group denounces.
It specifies that during the struggle that took place in recent weeks to commemorate the first anniversary of when the mobilizations started, those who participated in them were punished. Those who were in the protests were blacklisted [so other companies won’t hire them] or dismissed. “As they don’t have signed contracts, when they report to work they are fired. Of course, without severance pay.”
It adds that, for that reason, protests will continue in the region and they will continue to progress with organizing day farm workers, against the forces of the companies and without the support of the authorities. Spanish original
Read more on San Quintin Farmworkers