Tapachula, Chiapas, México September 3, 2007
Global Workers crossed into Guatemala to meet with the human rights organization, Casa del Migrante (“Migrant’s House”) that assists migrant workers on the other side of the border. The Center mostly helps Central American migrants who are heading north. Offering food, shelter, and limited medical care, over 17,000 migrants pass through its doors every year. More recently, the center has looked into the Guatemalan migrants who cross over to Chiapas to work in the harvest. The center has begun to educate Guatemalan workers on their labor rights in Mexico. Conditions are not good on the plantations in Chiapas, but little is known about the extent of the problems. Some workers have complained about not being paid for months at a time. But without meaningful access to justice in Mexico it is challenging for those workers to demand that their rights be respected. With limited options to enforce even the most basic labor rights, many will likely choose the risky route of migrating to the United States in hopes of finding better paid work. Unenforced labor rights have negative domino consequences well beyond the immediate employer-employee relationship. Development and rule of law at home is a key factor in realizing the right not to migrate.