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Baja Bernie
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Young kids work the harvests of Baja California
March 1, 2007
Human Rights News
United Nations Official Slams Child Labor in Mexico
The death of a migrant child in the Sinaloa countryside has
prompted a United Nations official to issue a sharp
denunciation of child labor practices in Mexico. In a
Mexico City press conference held this week, Dr. Jorge A.
Bustamante, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the
human rights of migrants, decried the death of David
Salgado Aranda, a 9-year-old indigenous child from Guerrero
state who was run over by a tractor on the edge of a field
near Culiacan, Sinaloa, last January 6. Dr. Bustamante
charged that the accident underscored how Mexico's does not
enforce national and international laws against child
labor.
"The case of David's death is not unique," Dr. Bustamante
contended. "This is an emblematic case of a very serious
problem that involves thousands of children."
Joining the United Nations official in the press conference
were representatives of the Tlachinollan Human Rights
Center of La Montana, a Guerrero-based, non-governmental
organization that is assisting the Salgado family in a
campaign to obtain indemnification for David's survivors.
The group is also calling for the punishment of the parties
responsible for the child's death.
At the time of his death, the young migrant was reportedly
working for the Agricola Paredes farms, an enterprise that
cultivates tomatoes, cucumbers, chile and other products.
According to Tlachinollan, the company is balking at
compensating the Salgado family, using the argument that
David's death occurred on a public road and that there was
no written contract with the victim.
The human rights organization has documented the cases of
12 migrant children who died while employed in the
agricultural harvests of northern Mexican states during
2006. The causes of death were attributed to accidents,
drowning and exposures to agricultural chemicals. "The
tomato that is sold in New York is the product of the blood
of these children and of David," charged Abel Barrera,
Tlachinollan's director. Since the beginning of 2007, two
other migrant children in addition to David Salgado have
died in Mexico and the United States, according to
Tlachinollan.
Besides justice for David Salgado, Tlachinollan is
demanding that Mexico adhere to an appeal by the United
Nations Children's Fund to protect young people from
occupational hazards; establish a monitoring system for
companies that contract agricultural laborers; create a
national program to address the structural causes of
migration; and comply with international agreements that
Mexico has signed in the areas of labor, migrant and youth
rights.
An estimated 50,000 migrants from the indigenous region of
Guerrero known as La Montana, one of the most impoverished
zones of Mexico, travel north every year to work for
Mexican and foreign companies in the harvests of Baja
California, Sonora and Sinaloa states. Many do not have
work contracts or social security coverage. From last
September to December alone, a program of the federal
Ministry of Social Development registered the departure of
about 10,000 migrants from La Montana; minor children under
15 years of age accounted for 46 percent of the departing
migrants. Barrera said that the loss of educational
opportunities is one major consequence of the mass
migration.
The U.N.'s Dr. Bustamante vowed that he will put an
international spotlight on the widespread practice of child
labor in Mexico. "It does not seem right to me that Mexican
authorities presume that they are doing a lot for human
rights when we have the case of David, which shows in a
dramatic way how this is lie," Dr. Bustamante said.
In a separate initiative, meanwhile, the legislative group
of the Mexican Green Party has introduced an initiative in
the Mexican Chamber of Deputies to slap employers that
employ children under 14 with monetary fines and stiff jail
time. Violating businesses would also face closure under
the proposed reform to the federal labor law.
Sources: La Jornada/AFP, February 27, 2007. El Sur,
February 27, 2007. Frontenet.com/Notimex, February 27,
2007. Proceso/Apro/Cimac, February 26, 2007.
Frontera NorteSur (FNS): on-line, U.S.-Mexico border news
Center for Latin American and Border Studies
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, New Mexico
This site makes for an interesting read and tells more about the
Tlachinollan Human Rights Center.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&...
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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DENNIS
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I know it's not the same as field labor but, that isn't the point. The point is that all of the major supermarket chains in Mexico employ kids, as
well as adults, to bag grocerys and are paid only the tips they receive from customers. So, without getting into a conversation to justify this, the
fact is the stores have these kids working and pay them nothing. Does any of this fall into the catagory of child labor abuse or are the well
connected market owners above all this stuff?
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jimgrms
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This has nada to do with child labor but as long as i was in The u s navy at the grocery stores on base (commisarys ) the guys bagging the grocerys
were paid only with tips,and to my recolection lots of them were teens
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MrBillM
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Youthful Employment
The kids have to work somewhere. There's only so many opportunities for Windshield Washers. A family has to do what is necessary to put food on the
table.
In past years, it was common for every member of a Farmer's family in the U.S., including kids, to work at bringing in the harvest. IF that practice
has been curtailed, it was a result of changes in the laws and their enforcement, not "Social Awareness".
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Hook
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MrBillM
The kids have to work somewhere. There's only so many opportunities for Windshield Washers. A family has to do what is necessary to put food on the
table.
In past years, it was common for every member of a Farmer's family in the U.S., including kids, to work at bringing in the harvest. IF that practice
has been curtailed, it was a result of changes in the laws and their enforcement, not "Social Awareness". |
I agree with Bill. What's the big deal? These kids and their families could be faced with work or starvation. If they are working with the permission
of their parents, let em work.
Accidents will happen. Starvation is no accident.
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DENNIS
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Well, like I said, you can try to justify this in many ways. Poverty is what drives them to work for gratuities and those who benefit from free
labor are the employers. Under your premise, Bill, if you keep them poverty stricken, they will work for nothing. This is an unfortunate paradox,
too easily accepted.
In the case of the grocery stores, customer service should be an employers expense covered in the price of their sales and, God knows, they charge
enough to do that but they wont because the buying public with tacit acceptance, as well as the government allow them not to.
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Baja Bernie
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Interesting
When I was growing up in the glorious state of California there didn't seem to be any 'child' labor laws, at least none that were
enforced...............I remember cutting cots ( that is apriots) with the Mexican families around San Jose. You got paid for the tray which was two
foot wide by six foot long. I hated the Mexicans because the whole family, kids from 4 to grandfolks who were 60 sat around their trays and laughed
as they filled the trays as if by magic.............Me, I had to move around the whole thing and the result by the end of the day was that the Mexican
family earned 6 or 8 dollars while I got at the most one dollar. I didn't laugh then . but now I understand...........I think!
Please tell me what is right and fair because I have no clue.
I do hope that all of you reading this post will tip those kids who bag your grocery's in Baja because everything they earn goes into the family pot
to buy the very basics to survival.
I made this post to allow others to understand that surival is a relative term and that us gringos are blessed with having our needs met at a very
high level.............far more than we need.
Hey! I say this partly because I am now on the Nutri-System diet............works............most Mexicans do not need it!
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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DENNIS
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If the owners of Comercial Mexicana decided that they no longer wanted to pay the nice lady behind the bakery counter and her only reward would be
gratuities, the job would be filled. Mexico has always been a gratuity driven society. If you want better service from any sector, pay extra for
it and you'll get it. It used to be that if you wanted the police to come to your house to investigate a burglary you had to buy their gas. If you
wanted your phone hooked up, you had to find the right person to tip.
What I'm getting at is, if business had their way, they wouldn't pay their help. The customer would......again. Personally, I just get tired of it.
And those kids mentioned above who helped to bring in the family harvest were performing a family function. They weren't going down the street to the
neighbors farm and bringing in his harvest for tips.
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Skeet/Loreto
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Good Posts:
Bernie, I too worked next to the Mexicano Family, picking Cotton when I was 5 years old.
Kids need to learn the value of the Work Ethnic when young.
Something that stands out in Texas is the Parent/Child realationship. For instance go to RFD TV and watch the 5 year olds competeing in the "Little
Britches Rodeo"--That is work!
The families I knew in Loreto had some of their Children in the Dump. picking up Cans to be exchanged for Propane, Cleaning fish, helping their
Neighbors with various Tasks.
In my mind, Child Abuse, is allowing your Children to play "Games" on little Machines every minute of the Day!!!!!! For Shame!!
Skeet/Loreto
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longlegsinlapaz
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Lencho:
It's been published that those "retirement-age folks" are the people who worked at the La Perla department store & were displaced due to the fire.
The owners guaranteed that all those people would be provided jobs at other Ruffo company businesses.
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DENNIS
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Again, I think my point is being missed, probably because I'm not articulating well.
I'm certainly not against kids, or anybody, working. I collected deposit
bottles when I was young and it wasn't a hobby.
My b-tch is with business, in this case big business, taking advantage of poverty and need to fill a work-force willing to rely on the generosity of
others for their pay. The cerillos [ thanks Larry ] are only one example. The parking lot "security" is another. How about all those folks working
at the gas station..........are they paid? Or the old man who keeps the restroom clean at the swap meet?
Another point before I shut up. All of those youngsters at the supermarket arn't from poor families. I doubt that many come from well-to-do
families but I have known a few of these kids and their families and they are solid middle class. The poor ones probably couldn't afford the white
shirt and tie.
Anyway, it is my firm belief that supermarkets should pay their employees or we should be able to claim them as dependents.
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DENNIS
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La Perla must have been a huge business. Those old folks are bagging grocerys in Ensenada as well, wearing a sad commentary to the humanity of the
store owners.......a small hand written tag that says their only pay is a tip. For a proud, seņor citizen, that must be humiliating. It would be
for me.
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TMW
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["I do hope that all of you reading this post will tip those kids who bag your grocery's in Baja because everything they earn goes into the family pot
to buy the very basics to survival."]
I did not know this. But I will start tipping them.
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TMW
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["My b-tch is with business, in this case big business, taking advantage of poverty and need to fill a work-force willing to rely on the generosity of
others for their pay."]
Dennis, I understand what your saying and agree with it.
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DENNIS
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Thanks TW
I don't know how to use the Quote Box either. Maybe that's a maņana project.
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flyfishinPam
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| Quote: | Originally posted by TW
["My b-tch is with business, in this case big business, taking advantage of poverty and need to fill a work-force willing to rely on the generosity of
others for their pay."]
Dennis, I understand what your saying and agree with it. |
Dennis I agree with what you are saying too.
I have kids but would never make them work at a young age as it is my responsibility they be fed and cared for. Now my six year old daughter wants to
work and help us out in the store but I do not force her to do so and I would never make our children work instead of go to school. If you can't take
care of your children, don't have any. I also agree that the large businesses are taking advantage of free labor.
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Skeet/Loreto
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Dennis; Good Thread.
I do however notice that you attempt to place "Blame" on Big Business. Can you imagine the Poverty if there was no "Big Business to provide the
Jobs.?
Kids who work in Stores for Tips or small Salaries learn how to deal with People on a Daily basis-A valuable Tool in the future.
I know some Children in La Paz who will work at any Job so that they can go to School and Learn English.
Do you know any Kids who would do that in the States??
The more we can teach our Children about Life-The less Dependant they will be on the Govmint in their Adult years.
Skeet/Loreto
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DENNIS
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Skeet ---
I appreciate your point but forgive me if I can't buy it. Big business does provide jobs. That and taxes are the benefit to the host community.
Business has an obligation of fairness to its employees and the workers owe an allegiance to their employer. That is the ideal.
When the ideal is violated by the employer, there is repurcussion. That's how unions came to be. Could you imagine the army of Cerrillos voicing a
labor dispute? Probably not, because they actually arn't employees. They're just there working for nothing and can be sent home and replaced on a
whim. They arn't employed there, they just work there.
Yes, absolutely.........I blame any business, big or small, which will occupy a mans time and effort to enhance profit and refuse to
share it with him.
More so do I blame a traditionally silent society for allowing this arrogant profiteering to take place in this day and age. I can see why
restaurants are on a gratuity basis. Service is involved at a personal level. But, pumping the gas which I paid for isn't service. I tip if my
window gets washed.
Do I know of kids who will do odd jobs in the states? Of course, who doesn't. It hasn't yet become a country of shmoos. [ I think that's a Li'l
Abner reference ]
OK.......... That'll do for a while.
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jerry
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i grew up with 7 sisters and 3 brothers {yes 11 kids} and a mom and dad on a farm in wisconsin we all worked from the time we could walk we werent
dirtpoor but a long way from being rich and we ate well
my dad and momworked the same way when they were growing up dadhad a 8th grade education and worked his way into the chief development engineer
position at a major crane company and invented the controlled torque converter(yes i can back that up}
when harvest came there were times when we stayed out of school to help
im #6 and all 11 are god fearing productive people no drawing wellfare no druggies no prisoner just people who can take of them selves
i feel my upbringing is a direct cause of my and my siblings moderate success in life
dont get me wrong id wouldnt go back to farming for anything but if did teach me work ethics that allowed me to be self employed since i was27 and
semi retire at 44
no matter what any law says the parents of the kids will decide what the kids will do based on what need to be done for the family unless your
advocating that should be regulated by the goverenment too
jerry and judi
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Skeet/Loreto
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Dennis: O.K on your Post, But:
The Unions use Force, Corruption, Featherbedding to Exhort money from their Employer--Not much difference.
The Bad Welfare People refuse to work and get money from the Taxpayer through the Govt.
Dennis, I have never yet received an Answer to my Question, Which is::
WHY SHOULD I , WHO WORKS, BE FORCES TO PAY HALF OF MY EARNINGS TO THOSE THAT DON"T WORK!!!!!!!!!!!
Business still produces Jobs--Jobs produce Wealth for the Workers, now the workers live in Bigger Homes, have two or three Cars, A Gameboy for each
Child etc.
Communism Failed.
Skeet/Loreto
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