The media has yet to break news of what's been occurring in San Carlos, Tamaulipas. Many events are never reported for numerous reasons. The last update received was that the mayor's brother had been killed and the mayor's whereabouts remained unknown.
San Carlos is a small, quaint, colonial town. One can walk around its perimeter without breaking a sweat. Its streets are filled with Mexican architecture (from colonial to modern with its touch of vernacular). It's a peaceful, beautiful town with breathtaking, scenic views. The weather is mild and the people are courteous. Economically, it is fueled by its crops and cattle. It is home to some of the largest ranches in the country and is located about 150 kilometers from the capital city of Victoria.
San Carlos is minimally developed. For example, there is only one hospital in the city that is not properly equipped. Moreover, doctors and nurses are rarely available. San Carlos is home to many farmers and ranchers because of its fertile and vast land. Tamaulipas is the largest producer of sorghum in the country. Other crops that are grown in the area are: corn, cotton and wheat. Many of the people living there (specifically in the rural outskirts of the city) are illiterate with minimal basic education. Much of this demographic works in the livestock and agriculture industry.
The area has proven to be a rich economic source; something noticed by others outside of the agriculture and livestock fields. Drug cartels have had their hand in the area for years. The lack of education and information has allowed the land and its people to be exploited. Many allege that the political leaders of the area are involved in illegal activities with these drug cartels; whether it be by partnering with them or just allowing such activities to occur.
To many what is currently happening comes to no surprise and as state and federal media outlets remain silent the people's faith in their system continues to wither. This lack of action has made its people tired, confused, scared; and some apathetic.
domingo, 28 de marzo de 2010
jueves, 25 de marzo de 2010
San Carlos, Tamaulipas Under Seige
Sources have just informed us that the city of San Carlos, Tamaulipas, as well as it's rural surroundings, are being seized by the Zetas. The sources claim the Zetas have taken control of streets and highways as well as kidnapped the city's Mayor.
There are claims that automobiles are being burnt in the middle of roads and the whereabouts of the city's mayor, Ing. Samuel Rodriguez Urbina, remain unknown.
There are claims that automobiles are being burnt in the middle of roads and the whereabouts of the city's mayor, Ing. Samuel Rodriguez Urbina, remain unknown.
miércoles, 24 de marzo de 2010
The Business of Labor in Mexico
Introduction:
Labor laws in Mexico have taken a back seat to what has become the business of labor. This essay will examine salaries, healthcare and infrastructure in the developing country.
Background:
In the second half of the 20th century Mexico became an attractive site to international investors. They have brought their businesses to Mexico and taken advantage of low minimum wages and an agile workforce. Currently a Mexican, by law, must earn a minimum of $55.00 Mexican pesos (approximately $4.20 USD) a day (constituting 8 hours of labor). This amount might sound alarmingly low to some but in recent years many foreign investors have withdrawn from Mexico because other countries have offered lower wages and less regulation.
The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social or IMSS (a national, government run healthcare program) went into effect during the end of WWII. Through the years laws have been passed, reforms have been made and the Mexican government has regulated the program. Workers that are covered by this program, through their employer, receive full benefits as a monthly deduction is made to their paycheck. In recent years a program called Seguro Popular (Public Insurance) was created to cover the healthcare needs of individuals who are not covered by the IMSS.
Infrastructure is funded by federal, state, municipal and private grant programs. It is developed in accordance to the economic capacity of each area. Housing is primarily financed by the INFONAVIT credit program (a national fund that gives loans to Mexican workers for the purchase of residential homes) and is supervised by the government. Many areas within the country remain without electricity, public lighting, water supply, sewers and/or paved roads.
Conclusion:
Weakness in these public programs, caused by the continuous devaluation of Mexican currency and the ambience of scandal and corruption many public officials are notoriously in, has left the Mexican people with a sense of disillusion towards their own system. Unemployment is on the rise. Physicians, healthcare workers and the public perceive services provided by the IMSS and Seguro Popular under par due to the government’s poor handling of it. The size of an average Mexican house has continually shrunk (the average property measures 5 meters by 15 meters; homes are under 50 squared meters) because of lacking economic growth. The absence of electricity, water supply and paved roads allows for crime and disease to flourish.
Mexicans have lost trust in their system, losing the sense of community and the well-being of the whole, posing a threat to its future. As this individualist approach rises and concern for the well being of the popular mass diminishes the effects have become apparent: indifference towards the rest and cynicism towards the future.
Labor laws in Mexico have taken a back seat to what has become the business of labor. This essay will examine salaries, healthcare and infrastructure in the developing country.
Background:
In the second half of the 20th century Mexico became an attractive site to international investors. They have brought their businesses to Mexico and taken advantage of low minimum wages and an agile workforce. Currently a Mexican, by law, must earn a minimum of $55.00 Mexican pesos (approximately $4.20 USD) a day (constituting 8 hours of labor). This amount might sound alarmingly low to some but in recent years many foreign investors have withdrawn from Mexico because other countries have offered lower wages and less regulation.
The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social or IMSS (a national, government run healthcare program) went into effect during the end of WWII. Through the years laws have been passed, reforms have been made and the Mexican government has regulated the program. Workers that are covered by this program, through their employer, receive full benefits as a monthly deduction is made to their paycheck. In recent years a program called Seguro Popular (Public Insurance) was created to cover the healthcare needs of individuals who are not covered by the IMSS.
Infrastructure is funded by federal, state, municipal and private grant programs. It is developed in accordance to the economic capacity of each area. Housing is primarily financed by the INFONAVIT credit program (a national fund that gives loans to Mexican workers for the purchase of residential homes) and is supervised by the government. Many areas within the country remain without electricity, public lighting, water supply, sewers and/or paved roads.
Conclusion:
Weakness in these public programs, caused by the continuous devaluation of Mexican currency and the ambience of scandal and corruption many public officials are notoriously in, has left the Mexican people with a sense of disillusion towards their own system. Unemployment is on the rise. Physicians, healthcare workers and the public perceive services provided by the IMSS and Seguro Popular under par due to the government’s poor handling of it. The size of an average Mexican house has continually shrunk (the average property measures 5 meters by 15 meters; homes are under 50 squared meters) because of lacking economic growth. The absence of electricity, water supply and paved roads allows for crime and disease to flourish.
Mexicans have lost trust in their system, losing the sense of community and the well-being of the whole, posing a threat to its future. As this individualist approach rises and concern for the well being of the popular mass diminishes the effects have become apparent: indifference towards the rest and cynicism towards the future.
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)
