Mexico has strict rules about the use of foreign labor in maquilas and other manufacturing operations. The following information about a recent on-site labor inspection in Tijuana is provided by North American Production Sharing Inc., a Del Mar, Calif.-based shelter provider.

      As part of the services North American provides, it deals directly with Mexican authorities conducting labor inspections on its clients’ facilities.

     “We successfully completed inspections in five of our plants,” Gloria Madrid, North American’s operation manager said. NAPS passed without violation.”

     Mexico’s office of the Secretary of Labor and Social Planning, Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social (STPS), is comparable to the U.S. Department of Labor. STPS officials conduct inspections of workplaces to make sure employers are complying with the federal labor law (Ley Federal del Trabajo, FLL). This law provides workers the rights specified in the Mexican Constitution (1917) Article 123.5.A.

     The STPS officials gave a one-day notice before the inspections were to take place by giving NAPS a list of inspection requirements. They also made an appointment to meet with NAPS Human Resources Manager and legal representative Inés Rodríguez.

     Two witnesses were required for the inspections along with the legal representative. Also included were NAPS...

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