Guatemala, Guatemala January 23, 2007
Guatemala continues to be a country plagued by crime and impunity. On average, 12 homicides a day occur in the capital city of 2.5 million. In addition to the terrible security situation, two major banks have collapsed in the past four months, for the most part due to corruption. A union leader in the midst of tense contract negotiations was brutally assassinated last week. Again, it is simple to see why people feel the necessity to go to other countries to have any chance at getting ahead.
Important progress has been made with some of the injured worker cases in Guatemala. As previously noted in this blog, a Guatemalan doctor agreed to offer medical services to two workers without guarantee of reimbursement. The doctor is committed to the cause of justice for migrants and was willing to offer his services to establish the precedent that rights do not stop at borders. After months of advocacy (not litigation), the insurance company finally agreed to provide medical services to the injured ship yard worker who had returned to Guatemala. This is an important precedent.
There is substantial progress for the injured landscaper as well. Due to the potentially permanent nature of the knee injury and the ongoing resistance of the insurance company to provide medical care, additional steps are necessary. As noted in previous entries, many advocates expressed reservation at representing a worker who had left the United States. Global Workers is excited to note that the American University Washington College of Law, Human Rights Clinic has agreed to take the case. Global Workers and the clinic hope to use this case to establish the right of all injured workers to have access to workers compensation after leaving the state of Maryland. More will be reported on that case as it develops.