But some of the students’ opinions were quickly quieted by the movie. In ‘A Tale of Two Mexicos,’ filmmakers ventured into the homes of factory workers and asked them to reveal their thoughts and experiences of life in the maquiladoras. Each of the workers explained that they had moved to the city for higher pay and job openings. Unfortunately, most to all of these job openings are in the sweatshops. The interviewees repeatedly complained that the nature of the sweatshops has broken down the social fabric of communities and reduced people to mere objects. Long work hours and overbearing management cause people’s lives to revolve around the factories, where they are dehumanized by constant labor. In addition, verbal and physical abuses were frequently reported by workers who claimed that they were treated as replaceable and worthless. Increased urbanization around these maquiladoras also brought a rise in crime. In fact, a report showed that within a four year span, over 120 rapes and murders of women were documented in Juarez. Lack of security and mistreatment of local families is common to the inhabitants.
As frightening as this is, my biggest concern following the movie was that no one seemed to care that much. Sure, it was a sad movie, but students often fail to see the overarching idea that they are part of this system and that they are the consumers of what is being produced under such horrible conditions. Though my professor should be applauded on her attempt to get this point across, this is something which needs to be further integrated into the education system as youth are increasingly taught about the nature of our global economy. It is so easily forgotten that Americans’ cushy lifestyles are only possible at the expense of workers worldwide…but there is no reason why this needs to remain the norm.
As labor standards abroad are continuously threatened by the influence of MNCs of the developed world, it is about time we understood our role in this system. Most people would agree that the abuse and exploitation of a worker in Juarez is not worth the TV set, sweater, etc. that he/she is making. As the consumer of these products, this is not something that can continue to be overlooked. Hopefully, more teachers will follow in my professor’s footsteps, in understanding that globalization cannot be taught exclusive of the rights and conditions of workers abroad.
Interested in the Maquiladoras of Juarez? Check out:
NPR “Life Around the Maquiladoras of Juarez”
CorpWatch “Maquiladoras at a Glance”
Also, for a similar documentary concerning globalization’s impact on Jamaican workers check out: “Life and Debt” Directed by Stephanie Black (2001)
