Oaxaca, Mexico February 10, 2008
Oaxaca is the second state in Mexico where the Transnational Migrant Defender Network will launch in Mexico. This trip was to identify the partner organizations to invite to the first advocate training scheduled for the end of April in Chiapas. Oaxaca is a fascinating state. Highly organized with a myriad of NGOs and civil society groups, it was a challenge to narrow the potential partners. The section of Oaxaca that is the source of the most migrants is in the north west area where the Mixtec indigenous people live. The mountainous area, which is poor for agriculture has long been known as a migrant-sending zone. The organizations there have already been involved in assisting migrant workers and their families with problems faced in the USA, a natural fit for our network. Due to the collapse of Mexican agriculture in the past 5 years other parts of Oaxaca are also beginning to see devastated families send a family member north to seek work. Now all parts of Oaxaca are considered migrant sending areas. The organizations in those zones, however, are just beginning to analyze the affects on the communities and what new services and programs they need to adjust to the new reality. Global Workers looks forward to being part of that discussion. One of the unique aspects of the Global Workers model is its flexibility. By partnering and empowering local organizations, Global Workers can quickly move into a new country to ensure that these new migrants also have access to justice. As companies increasingly seek workers from non-traditional migrant countries, we must be right on their heels ensuring that those workers know and exercise their rights in their own defense. Global Workers require global justice.