Thread: Maquiladora Worker Says Job No Longer Worth Risk

Maquiladora Worker Says Job No Longer Worth Risk

Reported by: Bill Barajas
Email: bill@krgv.com
Last Update: 6:42 pm

RIO GRANDE VALLEY - One man feeling the effects of Mexico’s violence worked on the front lines at a maquiladora in Reynosa. He felt he had no choice but to give up his livelihood

He worked on the outskirts of Reynosa for three years. He says the fear of being caught in the crossfire became too much to bear. Workers at maquiladoras in Mexico are not immune to the violence there. The widespread danger has left them victims of a country at war.

A man we'll call Miguel experienced it first-hand. Miguel, whose identity is being concealed for his own safety, says working south of the border became high risk and low reward.

"It is disturbing to go through this on a daily basis. It's almost like working for a funeral home," says Miguel

Miguel managed the maquiladora's operations. It wasn't the work that weighed on his mind. It was the danger he faced getting there. He says checkpoints were set up by the military, only he couldn't tell the good guys from the bad. He tried taking safety precautions so he wouldn't be noticed.

"Changing your routes, changing your times that were recommended to me, but it gets to the point they have people watching at every corner. They have people sitting on corner blocks knowing when you come in and when you come out. They know," says Miguel.

Miguel knew what he was up against. He says the bad guys had all the control.

"They do not respect what's in their way. When they're going to do something, they're going to do something, no matters who's in their way," says Miguel

The fear turned into stress. Miguel became ill. He couldn't sleep. His health started to deteriorate. He says he felt his luck was running out.

"You never knew, you never knew. There have been people shot for nothing in the middle of the streets. You never know if the gunfire or gunfights are going to end up down your way. The timing is very critical," says Miguel.

Miguel says it got so bad; plant managers began coordinating safety routes for each other. Miguel says that's when he decided to retire.

That was almost 8 months ago. Miguel says he treats his time in Mexico like a soldier from Iraq would. He just wants to block it out and forget about it.

http://www.krgv.com/news/local/story/Ma ... DYEGQ.cspx

Miguel says that's when he decided to retire.

So he jumped over the border and now:

Miguel says he treats his time in Mexico like a soldier from Iraq would.