Amparo Reyes. of Mexico, has worked in the infamous maquiladora area along the Texas-Mexico border. She told of horrendous working conditions, of women leaving their villages and families, and the social problems, as well as the personal problems, that ensue. Without a support system, without understanding what few rights they have, women and girls work in virtual slavery, often exposed to sexual harassment, as well as toxic chemicals in packages with labels and instructions they cannot read. Where men traditionally cross the border for jobs, women tend to remain in Mexico. The strains on family life require no explanation.
Domestic workers face similar problems.
Recruited from poor countries, they are often young, without friends, and without many opportunities to find other work. Cenen Bagon, a former domestic worker from the Philippines, is organizing domestic workers in Canada. This is extremely difficult, because the women are isolated by the nature of their work, by barriers of language and mobility, and by their lack of knowledge about what resources and rights are available. They are often raped and abused. Many send a portion of their meager earnings back to their families, ensuring that they will continue to live in virtual slavery.