The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-11-17
PORTES Gil. is
AUTHOR OF PLAN
TO BIND LABOR
All Power in Hands of
Capitalists, State

MEXICO CITY, Mexico, Nov. 16.
A judicial hierarchy controlled by
the large industrialists and finan-
ciers and selected and sanctioned by
the government is disclosed by a
fuller perusal of the so-called labor
reform legislation issued by Presi-
dent-elect Emilio Portes Gil yester-
day. The actual purpose of this plan
is to weave net of legality around
the revolutionary efforts of the
Mexican workers.
Under an appearance of liberal
legislation involving the eight-hour
day law, prohibiting child labor, and
promising equal wages for men and
women workers, such as capitalism
often throws to the workers, the
government has placed before the
Mexican congress one of the most
skilfully constructed codes for en-
slavement yet devised.
The machinery by which the Mex
lean government is preparing to Sc
cure the obedience of its workers IN
cludes an elaborate system of coun-
ellis for each ship, for a central labor
council and for national labor
council. There is also a supreme
labor court. 1t is significant that the
proposed legislation specifically
states that judges of this court ZEN
ioy the same consideration and
cmoluments as magistrates OF the
supreme court"
Presidents Appointees.
The supreme labor court will be
made up of five magistrates named
by the president of the republic!
Glass collaboration between the
workers and the capitalists is a fea-
ture of the system of councils in the
shops projected in the Gil plan. All
power, however, is carefully limited
to the capitalists.
Every industry will have its own
economic council, made up of repre-
sentatives of employers and emf
ployes, which shall cooperate with
the industry in the adoption Of new
methods, maintain order and disci-
pline, intervene in differences and
safeguard contracts between work
men and employers.
This body will also be charged
with seeing that the decisions of
boards of arbitration and Cancellation
are strictly complied with. 1t cannot,
however, intervene in the financial
administration of plants nor NEEDLE
with contracts between employers
and employed.
The proposal further provides that
the Central Labor Council will be
charged with study of labor condi-
tions, including the cost of living,
thus limiting its powers practically
to study and investigation.
The purposes of workers syndi-
Gates is defined with great exacti
tude by the plan. 1t states that
A syndicate is composed to make
contracts with employers, but these
contracts cannot endure for more
than three years nor less than one.
Contracts are mutually binding on
employee and employers. Municipal,
State and National Labor Courts are
empowered to enforce contracts.
1t is further stated that plants may
suspend without violating their con-
tracts when excess production makes
further operation Improbable or for
lack of raw materials or when there
are acts of nature, such as epidemics,
earthquakes or fires.
Public service employees may not
declare a strike except on ten days
notice. If the finding of the Board
of Cancellation and Arbitration is
against the strikers, their contract
may be annulled if the employer
wishes.
Each municipal board of concilia-
ton and arbitration will consist of
a Judge named by the governor of
the state, three representatives of
the employees. Judges must be Mex
leans by birth. There will be six
labor tribunals in various part of
the country to enforce the finding of