Struggle for fair working conditions

Carlos Rodriguez of CEREAL and Dulce Maria Cruz Vazquez of the National Union of Petrol Workers at the World Social Forum 2005 [CAFOD]

Carlos Rodriguez of CEREAL in Mexico explains why there is hope for exploited workers by learning from trade union activists how to fight for their rights

“Globalisation has two faces for workers,” says Carlos Rodriguez, co-ordinator of CAFOD partner CEREAL which works alongside exploited workers in Mexico.

“The bad face is the reality of more working hours, less pay, unemployment, deteriorating working conditions and above all the lack of rights to create good working conditions.

“But there is a good face too. And that is the struggle we are seeing by workers in developing countries around the world and the hope that is here at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre. From this hope we can see that another world is possible.”

Poor working conditions

Carlos spoke of the situation in Mexico where there has been a big shift of work from the formal to the informal sector where jobs are short-term and precarious. This has undermined working benefits, salaries and labour rights.

According to CEREAL's research, 50 per cent of the working population are now in jobs with no health or social benefits. The minimum wage has also fallen by 20 per cent in real terms between 1994 and 2003.

One of the sectors affected by the precarious employment situation in Mexico is electronics, which was a focus of CAFOD's Clean Up Your Computer campaign during 2003 and 2004.

CEREAL provided much of the research for the campaign and is also active in offering support and legal advice to workers in Mexico who have been exploited.

Networking for change

Rodriguez spoke at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre in January 2005, which he attended with two trade union activists from the oil and petro-chemical industries.

They had come in order to meet up with trade union activists from around the world, to share information and look at ways of working together.

“Being here means a lot for us workers,” says Dulce Maria Cruz Vazquez from the National Union of Petrol Workers. “We get information that we don't hear in our country, we meet organisations with a clear vision and we can see the power that we have even if we are struggling against very powerful adversaries.”

Jesus Cabrera Martinez from the Petro-chemical Union talked of the inspiration that came from meeting activists from around the world: “When you are here, you realise how many people are struggling and fighting for a just world where everyone can get a job and a fair wage.”

Realising our power

Carlos outlined why he remained optimistic: “Ultimately managers of companies can't survive without their workers, so we will have to come to an understanding that protects workers rights.

“Growing understanding in countries like Britain about what your companies are doing in countries like Mexico also gives me great hope.”

However, according to Carlos, growing awareness is not enough on its own. Carlos believes that building a just world needs a change in our thinking.

“The first obstacle we face is the fear of being able to think of a better world, the fear that we can't do anything. If we can overcome that, I believe that another world is possible.”

take action

Support CAFOD on eBay Do you ever sell items on eBay? If so, you can register to donate a percentage of your item’s final selling price to CAFOD. You can register to donate anything from 10% to 100% of your item's final selling price

Last chance action on the Climate Bill MPs are voting on the Climate Change Bill in October - we still need them to push for the UK to cut its emissions by at least 80% Please email your MP now

Direct Debit Could you live on 99% of your income? What could the other 1% do for people living in extreme poverty? Give regularly. Transform lives.