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Roberto
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This being the slum?
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EnsenadaDr
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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slum...
Come on Roberto..we ARE in Baja..how about using barrio instead of slum..!!! However, I don't consider this board the slum of all posting
boards...ummm...I will leave that one unmentionable as per the fifth amendment... | Quote: | Originally posted by Roberto
This being the slum? |
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805gregg
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Roberto
This being the slum? |
The $65 a month slum in San Blas, you don't think that a nice house at $2.16 a day, do you?
[Edited on 1-17-2012 by 805gregg]
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EnsenadaDr
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Your Mexican workers have rights too!!!
My daughter was 6 years old when I first came to Ensenada, so I needed a person to watch her and pick her up from school (1st grade). The lady worked
from 9 to 3 at first then 9-1, and was with me almost a year. I gave her a paid vacation just a month before I fired her for some very good reasons,
and she took me to the Government building. Lucky for me, the attorney in charge of the hearing asked if I had paid her vacation, and she said yes.
The lady also had IMSS through her husband who passed away, so health insurance wasn't an issue. But the Mexican government stated that because she
was a regular employee, I had certain financial obligations..they said I had to give her severance, and I offered her $1000 pesos, but she refused,
and wanted to take me back to Court...but the attorney said she was being selfish and would have to pay to have another hearing which she never paid
for. | Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
actually I had a woman that worked for me like that, and according to the Mexican government, I owed her a vacation...among other things!!
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No kidding. Was she working enough hours to be considered full time? |
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EnsenadaDr
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The law in Mexico
You are totally right...I did get off lightly, but evidently others on this Board feel they still live in California, USA...can fire and hire at will
with no repercussions...and certainly no labor laws to follow... | Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
...they said I had to give her severance, and I offered her $1000 pesos, but she refused, and wanted to take me back to Court..
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I think you got off lightly. Anyone that wishes to be an employer in Mexico should read the Ley Federal de
Trabajo. One thing to be said about Mexican law, it does recognize the working (wo)man. The U.S. could probably learn some things
from its neighbor in that respect... |
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bacquito
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what an interesting discussion! Realise, that this all started with an article written by a "ner-do-well" living in San Blas, Mexico and has evolved
into a discussion on worker's rights in Mexico.
I truly enjoy Baja Nomad!
[Edited on 1-17-2012 by bacquito]
bacquito
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bacquito
what an interesting discussion! Realise, that this all started with an article written by a "ner-do-well" living in San Blas, Mexico and has evolved
into a discussion on worker's rights in Mexico.
I truly enjoy Baja Nomad!
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Threads morph. That's the essence of BajaNomad. It's a healthy reflection of people's need to talk and be heard. Very enjoyable, as you say.
Hey....didja hear the one about...............
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bajabass
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Breaking the law in two countries set aside, I found it very interesting to hear how the locals accepted a pair of broke gringos into their community.
I wonder also if they are as giving as their new neighbors. Heading to a new country, no money, no job, hoping for the best. Something I kinda wish
I'd tried in my early twenties. Now, no way! Way too proud to be looked upon as a "charity case". I'd be back to work in the States in no time flat!
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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Islandbuilder
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I think that these folks are in equal parts to be condemned and praised. It took either great bravery or supreme foolishness to make their move, at
their ages with so little resource. They were pretty well guaranteed to become charity cases from the outset.
Something powerful must have been behind their move; a family or community falling out, a severe loss of assets, or just facing late middle-age and
regretting risks not taken when they were younger.
In some of those scenarios they would have become destitute wherever they were, in others they perhaps should have worked through the conflicts rather
than bail and run. But at the end of the day, we all deal with these issues in varying degrees. And we all make choices, some of mine haven't been
very wise in retrospect.
The inspiring thing about this story is how they seem to have been embraced by the local community. And how they have become integrated, perhaps
legally, but for sure socially.
I know that when and if we move to Mexico, or Costa Rica (where we have a small farm) I will be both richer (in assets) and poorer (in community
connectedness) than my new neighbors. I will give what I can, either in funds or skills, but I also know I will be reliant on my neighbors in many
ways. I will be a cultural and community charity case.
In the valley where our farm is located, the locals have lived and worked in a very self-sufficient manner for generations. They tell us that
everything they need to live, except salt, can be found in the valley. The other farms on either side still use ox carts on a daily basis. Very few
lights, and very few machines are within view. If I move in with a few hand tools, a chain saw and a cordless drill I am instantly a rich man, as far
as stuff goes. But I have no idea what to plant when, or what rotation will produce the best results, or when the small local deer are ready to be
culled, or......a million things.
I guess I liked that the author "owns" his weakness and needs; not something we N Americans do very well.
I don't "approve" of his breaking the law, and it's not something I would choose to do myself, but there are some things to be learned from their
story.
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mtgoat666
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i like the story. i say more power to the adventurers. who cares if they broke a few minor laws about immigration and working papers? i don't. we
should applaud people that set off on adventure instead of getting stuck in a rut in the rat race because it is the safe, secure, sensible thing to
do.
i do notice that it is only the rats in the rat race (or retired rats sitting next to race course) that are complaining about the rats that veered off
of the race course in their own direction.
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sancho
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| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Talking about rules and regulations, if you pay a Mexican a regular wage week in and week out, as an employer so to speak, of a gardener or whatever,
are you, according to Mexican law responsible for their health coverage costs and/or taxes to the Mexican government??? I really don't know the
answer to that.... |
That reminds me of a post here recently from 1 of the BN
who resides around the Cape re: Hotel Maids making
$5.50 A DAY, having to sign 28 day contracts so employer
doesn't have to pay Mex SS,etc. I find myself quoting
those #'s to my friends flying down to the Mex
Beach Resorts, just to make them pause a second
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toneart
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
i like the story. i say more power to the adventurers. who cares if they broke a few minor laws about immigration and working papers? i don't. we
should applaud people that set off on adventure instead of getting stuck in a rut in the rat race because it is the safe, secure, sensible thing to
do.
i do notice that it is only the rats in the rat race (or retired rats sitting next to race course) that are complaining about the rats that veered off
of the race course in their own direction. |
Thanks, Goat!
I was waiting for someone to point this out.
I rarely post here anymore and almost forgot why. Oh Rats!...I do remember.  
Fear is only a driver if you are too frozen to drive yourself. It will stunt your growth and render you stunted and insignificant.
And now I continue on this fantastic adventure called LIFE...Off to the races!
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Bajatripper
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Not so easy without showing proof of income. |
From my experience in their office, they're very lax on that aspect of the program, so it hasn't been a problem for the people I've assited in getting
enrolled.
In fact, you may have noticed that (assuming you have an FM status other than "tourist") in the past couple of years the Mexican government has quit
caring what our income is for immigration purposes, either.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Bajatripper
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| Quote: | [quoteWhat?? Well...they have earned a little of it with their attitude of being above the law due to their efforts to be free spirited throughout
their lives. Being free doesn't mean leaving one's fate in the hands of others, which is what brought this couple to godforsaken San Blas to begin
with. They are reaping what they have sown.
That, I can deal with on an understanding level. What I can't and won't try to deal with is their total disregard for the laws of whatever country
they find themselves in at the moment.
Working illegally in Mexico? And, it's admirable because they need an income to buy beer? C'mon. This is the attitude of many about our southern
border that has led to the near disintigration of our economy and society. How could anyone but an "open borders" advocate think this is romantic or
selectively tolerable?
Or...perhaps some of you actually believe they got themselves normallized with immigration when the price of a Caguama of beer was problematic enough
to write about as a budget problem.
What really gets to me is the attitude that laws are in place only for others, and when times get tough, personal well-being trumps the law. That
just ain't the way it is and if someone thinks differently, they should keep their decisions to themselves and quit making them the subject of a
fledgeling creative writing career.
That's what. |
OK, Dennis, I see where you're coming from. But I still admire them for what they're doing. It isn't something most of us could do--me included, even
with good Spanish.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Bajatripper
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| Quote: | | It makes me wonder why I pay the expense to do it by the book........and they don't. |
Because you have your standards you live by AND you can afford it.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Bajatripper
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| Quote: | Originally posted by 24baja
Dennis, I am sorry if my comments upset you, it was not my intention and I was not being arrogant, |
Wise move, 24baja
Been there, done that, DON'T WANNA DO IT AGAIN!!!
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Bajatripper
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| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Come on Roberto..we ARE in Baja..how about using barrio instead of slum..!!! |
I don't think I'd equate "barrio" with "slum," Doc. While undoubtedly a barrio can be a slum, slums only make up a small percentage of the
total number of barrios in Mexico. My Velázquez dic. defines slum as "barrio bajo y sucio de una población."
Just sayin'
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Bajatripper
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| Quote: | Originally posted by 805gregg
The $65 a month slum in San Blas, you don't think that a nice house at $2.16 a day, do you?
[Edited on 1-17-2012 by 805gregg] |
Someone else who confuses "viviendas populares" with slums. Or is the definition of "slum" we use stricktly an economic one, even in the developing
world?
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
But I still admire them for what they're doing. It isn't something most of us could do-- |
I can almost see your list of iconic Americans, Steve. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, Bonnie and Clyde, Ted Kaczynski........
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EnsenadaDr
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Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Slum vs. Barrio...
Then again, how many barrios in Mexico would be considered slums in the U.S.??? Just sayin´ | Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Come on Roberto..we ARE in Baja..how about using barrio instead of slum..!!! |
I don't think I'd equate "barrio" with "slum," Doc. While undoubtedly a barrio can be a slum, slums only make up a small percentage of the
total number of barrios in Mexico. My Velázquez dic. defines slum as "barrio bajo y sucio de una población."
Just sayin' |
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