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Julia and the Border Committee of Women Workers (CFO) Julia is a respected leader in Mexico and abroad as a representative and authentic voice of maquila workers. She started work in a factory when she was 15 years old. For five years she worked by day in the factory and at night she studied for a degree in social work. She has participated in the CFO since its creation in 1986. She has represented Mexican women in the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, in the World Conference on Women in Beijing, and in the Global Women’s Coalition, a group that brings together 20 union leaders from around the world. Julia has four children, including a set of twins. Strategic Advances for Female Maquila Workers The Border Committee of Women Workers (CFO) works to improve labor conditions in the maquiladoras and the quality of life of the women workers and their families on the Mexico–U.S. border. As part of its process, the CFO helps women to recover their self-esteem and overcome the apathy and defeat that they have felt for years. According to Julia, “When a woman learns to value herself and make others respect her, her life changes: this process involves not only improving her working conditions, but it also affects her family and community life.” . The project that Semillas funded included the strengthening of four maquila worker leaders in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. One of them helped 150 co-workers in her factory to address problems with their employer, the global corporation, Delphi Delco Electronics, which has the second largest workforce in the city. Another 25 women learned about pregnant worker’s rights. This was important since the corporation was forcing them to stand on their feet all day and assigning them to graveyard shifts. In 2006, the workers put into practice what they learned in the CFO about discrimination against women workers. When Delphi wanted to force them to work with closed shoes, “…four hundred women refused to enter the factory if the corporation did not supply them with appropriate shoes, as is their right. Those workers were fired, but dozens of them remained united during the process to demand their reinstatement, and eventually they achieved some compensation. In addition, they collectively confronted the corrupt union leader and denounced the situation in the local press. “With Semillas’ support we have strengthened the strategic progress of women workers in the maquiladoras; we have supported their efforts to self-educate, self-organize, strengthen and multiply themselves in defense of their rights,” Julia affirms with satisfaction. (www.cfomaquiladoras.org) |
