San Cristóbal de la Casas, Chiapas, México August 25, 2007
Global Workers came to Mexico for over two weeks to launch the programs in Southern Mexico. The first few days were spent in Mexico City strengthening relationships with human rights organizations. For the next two weeks, Global Workers focused on the southernmost state of Chiapas. Using San Cristóbal as a base for the northern region of the state, Global Workers made an effort to meet with as many groups as possible working in Human Rights.
International migration is a relatively new phenomenon for people from Chiapas (Chiapanecos). Traditionally, they have migrated to various parts of Mexico. In the past five years a major domestic migratory stream began to develop from “los altos” of Chiapas (the mountainous region of San Cristóbal) to the “Mayan Riveria,” that is the beach resorts near Cancun. There is a high labor demand due to reconstruction after devastating hurricanes and new construction due to the steady increase of tourism. Guatemalans are also migrating to the beach resorts to work. Unfortunately, there are no organizations there to help the migrant workers suffering from pervasive exploitation. One church organization in Chiapas is taking steps to open an office in Playa del Carmen (south of Cancún) to address the needs of these workers. As always with migrants, it is a challenge for advocates to keep up with the shifting migrant streams and constant needs of the world’s most exploited workers. As an alternative to the Yucatan migration from the Los Altos region, many Chiapanecos, most of who are indigenous, are moving to the USA to search for work.