Huehuetenango, Guatemala November 16, 2007
Huehuetenago, in the northwest highlands of Guatemala, is the largest migrant sending area in Guatemala. From here originate most of the approx. 4,000 forestry workers who go the US every year through the guest worker program to plant pine tree saplings. One of Global Workers’ partners in the US, contacted us to investigate a disturbing case. This NGO currently has several class actions pending on behalf of grossly underpaid pine tree workers. Apparently, the Guatemalan recruiter and a representative from the US company pressured the workers (almost 500 of them) to “opt-out” of the case in order to “support the company.” The workers who were attending the recruitment meeting had little choice but to sign the form if they wanted to return to the US. A coercive action like this is unprecedented. Global Workers worked with the US NGO to investigate the facts and obtain affidavits from the workers. Once the judge learns of the circumstances it is hoped that he will nullify all of the “opt-outs” and the 4,000 worker strong case will continue forward.