Enemies come in many shapes, sizes and colors...................
A few years ago, the maquiladora industry in Mexico was thought to be the succor of rising unemployment in Mexico. The industry, established along the US- Mexico border, provided cheap goods, manufactured in Mexico and sold in the USA. Cheap labor in Mexico and devaluation of the Peso, aided this industry. It spun jobs for poor Mexicans and was talked about in glowing terms till the skeletons, literally tumbled out of the cupboard, even while providing cheap goods for rich Americans.
The workers, mostly women were, severely exploited, many sexually and poorly paid, with harsh punishment if they dared to buck a rotten system.Murder and rape were common. The Maquilodora industry was sanctioned by NAFTA ( North American Free Trade Agreement ) and signatories to the agreement were forced to closely look at this soul less industry and come up with remedial measures.......
They say history repeats itself and it has in Tirpur, in Tamil Nadu.The textile industry in Tirpur was expected to have brought cheer to thousands of poor women from the region, even so far as to aid them in marriage. Recent studies, have indicated this to be hogwash..............with horror stories of ruthless exploitation and harassment by unscrupulous owners.Many women were apparently paid @ Rs 25 a day, with promise to assist them in marriage later.The aid would have come after three years of abysmal pay. The modus operandi followed to deny the poor workers their due was to sack them just before the three year tenure ended.
What a tragedy, in a state, that prides itself on social progress and a government with a pro poor mandate, handing out TV sets, come elections.. Eventually the greatest enemy is one that is a wolf masquerading in sheeps clothing!
As for the poor workers of Tirpur, they await freedom!
