Hazardous Conditions Revealed in Mexican Electronics Factories

The official banner of the 1st 'Worker Exchange' in September 2006

This past September, 2006, SVTC worked with CEREAL, El Centro de Reflexion y Accion Laboral, to pull together the 1st high-tech worker encuentro (exchange) and training in Mexico. 34 workers participated from across Mexico and work for electronics manufacturing companies like Foxconn, Solectron Jabil, Kemet, Shonen, Sanyo, Hitachi, Flextronics, Rosti, Kodak, Sanmina-SCI, USI, Jabil, Cookson, IBM and HP. Many of these manufacturers are sub-contractors of Apple, Dell, Nokia, Samsung and Sony.

Workers discover repeat of Silicon Valley problems
The Mexican workers focused on working conditions in their factories and discovered that many of the chemicals they work with are toxic. Whether they work in labs cleaning circuit boards or they assemble computer components, there were widespread reports of exposure without proper protection or training on safe handling. Participants were troubled that their problems with fertility, miscarriages, birth defects, skin conditions, cancer, and other illnesses might be linked to this toxic exposure on the job. They also learned that the problems they were experiencing were identical to problems Silicon Valley workers had experienced 20 years ago. The electronics companies are not applying lessons learned to their current employment practices.

Workers at the encuentro learned how to identify possible sources of exposure in the hi-tech manufacturing facilities where they work.  Despite wearing a mask to filter out dust particles, this worker discovers that the toxic fumes pass right though

Companies Abuse System, Creating Temporary Workforce
In addition to health and safety problems, up to 80% of the high-tech workers in Mexico work for temporary employment agencies, including Manpower.  As temporary employees, workers are not provided benefits or adequate compensation for injuries incurred on the job. Under Mexico labor law, a temporary worker must be granted full-time status with benefits after 6 months. Encuentro participants reported that after 6 months, companies often lay people off, forcing them to move into another temporary job. By abusing the system and keeping the workforce temporary and moving from one company to another, companies can avoid paying higher wages and health benefits.

Workers Learn to Stand Up for their Rights
Participating workers reported that there is widespread fear of losing their jobs if they bring up potential worksite hazards or request more protection. At the training, workers learned not only how to identify potential worksite hazards, but about Mexican labor laws, how to organize their co-workers, and how to stand up for their rights. Participants left empowered to become leaders in their worksites. They created a set of demands that included specifics for their particular factories as well as the industry as a whole. These demands include additional protection and training, safer chemical alternatives, permanent full time work, health care, and basic workers rights.

Putting the Encuentro in Context of Industry History
The Silicon Valley was the birthplace of the high-tech revolution and was its manufacturing center for years. However, in the 80’s, the industry began moving most of its manufacturing overseas as Silicon Valley hi-tech workers and residents began reporting widespread pollution and health problems related to toxic exposure. At the same time that stronger environmental protections were passed, high-tech companies began outsourcing and moving their facilities overseas to impoverished developing nations like China, Taiwan, India, and Mexico, where labor is cheaper, worker rights muffled, and environmental protections weaker. As the participants in the Mexican encuentro reported, the experiences of Silicon Valley workers 20 years ago are being repeated, and the industry has not learned its lesson. This is why SVTC and other organizations are linking globally to share information and challenge the industry across borders. Click here to learn more about SVTC international work.

Other organizations that participated in the Encuentro:
CEREAL: El Centro de Reflexion y Accion Laboral
The Labor Occupational Health Program at the University of California
Just Transition Alliance
WorkSafe!
Greenpeace, Mexico