Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico April 30, 2008
After one last substantive session focused on the use of international law, the training shifted into action. The last day was dedicated to how the Global Workers Defender Network will function. These defenders were trained to accomplish three objectives. 1. Educate migrant workers about their rights in the US. 2. Identify cases of workers exploited in the US to refer to Global Workers. 3. Through Global Workers, partner with US organizations who are facing challenges in assisting their worker clients who have returned to their home countries.
After reviewing and discussing the organizational structure, the rules and ethics of assisting migrant workers (an area they are familiar with through their own work) but in a transjurisdictional context, each participant took away a contract to be reviewed and signed by their organizations. Each year, the group will reunite to renew the commitment and discuss the accomplishments and challenges they faced in executing the portable justice mission.
Although Global Workers has already provided critical assistance to US organizations struggling to combat human trafficking and other abuses faced by migrant workers, this training signifies the formalization of the network. Now with 13 organizations trained and committed to the Global Workers Defender Network, we enter into a new and unprecedented stage of justice for global workers.