Download pptx - The Experience of Mexico in Documenting Guatemalan Border Workers

SECRETARÍADE GOBERNACIÓN

INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

The Experience of Mexico in Documenting Guatemalan Border

Workers

Ernesto Rodríguez ChávezCentre for Migration Studies

Instituto Nacional de Migración [National Institute of Migration]

Second RCM Workshop on Temporary Foreign Worker Programs (TFWP): Intra-regional or “South-South” Approach

Dominican Republic, April 28-29, 2011


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

OBJECTIVE:

To analyze the conditions and characteristics of Guatemalan border workers in southern Mexico that are relevant to the definition and implementation of specific immigration documentation schemes.

1


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

Intense cross-border family life, trade, services, and labour. 19th – 21st century.

Historical presence of Guatemalan workers in agriculture in southern Mexico, particularly in the region of Soconusco, Chiapas: 20th – 21st century.

Border mobility and autonomy of some regions between Guatemala and Mexico: 19th century. Current border 1882.

Guatemalan workers in various activities, without the required documentation. Expansion in the last decade of 20th century and 21st century.

High presence of informal trade in border areas. 20th – 21st century.

Highly permeable border due to insufficient infrastructure and lacking presence of authority to manage the international movement of persons, hundreds of pedestrian crossings and over 50 informal vehicle crossings. 21st century.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

Permissiveness about the settlement of colonists and recruitment of foreign workers: late 19th century to early decades in 20th century.

Banning the entry of unskilled labour, including agricultural labour: Migration Act of 1930.

Deregulation in the 60s and 70s.

Lists of workers negotiated with the authorities by employers through recruiters, only once and for a specific workplace. 80s and 90s.

Visiting Agricultural Worker Migration Form (FMVA) 1997-2008. Only for Chiapas and a specific workplace. It is complemented by previous lists partially registered in Guatemalan employment centres.

BACKGROUND REGARDING IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS, GUATEMALAN WORKERS IN SOUTHERN MEXICO:

3


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

QUALITATIVE EVIDENCE Migrant workers who work in the southern part of Mexico are

primarily from Guatemala, although there is information on the presence of some Hondurans and Salvadorans.

Essentially they DO NOT establish their permanent residence in Mexico and the time they spend in the country varies according to the distance between their place of origin and workplace and/or available resources. Mainly, there are daily crossings and stays of less than a month.

There are more historical, geographic, and population connections between some areas of Chiapas (Mexico) and Guatemala than between the low and high or central areas in Chiapas.

Presence by Mexican States and Sectors

SECTORES O ÁREAS DE ACTIVIDAD ENTIDAD AGRICULTURA GANADERÍA CONSTRUCCIÓN COMERCIO SERVICIOS

CHIAPAS X X X X X QUINTANA ROO X X X TABASCO X X X X X CAMPECHE X X

4Source: National Institute of Migration - INM.


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

Documented flows (FMTF)

Documented with FMVL (local

visitor)

Tabasco, Quintana Roo

and Campeche Chiapas

Undocumented flows

Agricultural: coffee, mango, orange, papaya,

plantain, sugar cane

Other sectors: trade, construction, services,

etc.

FLOWS OF GUATEMALAN WORKERS IN MEXICO

5

QUALITATIVE EVIDENCE

Source: National Institute of Migration - INM.


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

Intense and varied short stay migration circularity

Source: National Institute of Migration - INM. Preliminary estimates based on data of EMIF SUR, 2010. Flows from Mexico to Guatemala. INM, CONAPO, COLEF, STPS and SRE.

GUATEMALANS WHO WORKED IN CHIAPAS AND RETURNED, EMIF SUR, 2010 (Jan-Sep)

6

QUANTITATIVE EVIDENCE

• Most have 3 or more years work experience in Mexico. 79% began working in Chiapas in 2007 or earlier.

• 72% had never worked in Guatemala.

Up to 24 hrs.38%

1 -15 days16%

16 days - 1 mo.28%

1 mo. – 1 yr.

18%


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

Activity Sector, by Length of Stay(Includes documented and undocumented workers)

Total

44%

22%

16%

12%

5%

1%

Source: National Institute of Migration - INM. Preliminary estimates based on data of EMIF SUR, 2010. Flows from Mexico to Guatemala. INM, CONAPO, COLEF, STPS and SRE..


20% are self-employed workers, mainly ambulatory salespersons

7


56% in non-agricultural work

70 50 30 10 10 30 50 70

Industry, Manufacturing

Services, Transport

Household Work

Industry, Construction

Trade

Farming

%Up to 24 hours More than 1 day

70 50 30 10 10 30 50 70


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

Local visitor (FMVL) (permission to stay for 72

hours, not to work) 62% - 201072% - 2007

FMTF (authorizes work with multiple entries)

21% - 201010% - 2007

Without immigration documents 17% - 201018% - 2007

Source: National Institute of Migration - INM. Preliminary estimates based on data of EMIF SUR, 2010. Flows from Mexico to Guatemala. INM, CONAPO, COLEF, STPS and SRE.

Immigration Status

• Undocumented immigrants do not use “coyotes” to cross the border due to easy access.


Worker has worked without immigration document authorizing this activity. 79% - 201090% - 2007

8



INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

Where do they come from and what is their destination in Chiapas?

CHIAPAS

San Marcos

Retalhuleu 4 %

Quetzaltenango 8%

GUATEMALA

Suchitépequez 5%

Huehuetenango 18%

Border Region 17%

Soconusco Region 82%San Marcos 63%


Source: National Institute of Migration - INM. Preliminary estimates based on data of EMIF SUR, 2010. Flows from Mexico to Guatemala. INM, CONAPO, COLEF, STPS and SRE. 9

Main destination cities in Chiapas:• Tapachula• Suchiate• Cacahoatán• Tuxtla Chico

Destination:• City – 58% • Farm or ranch – 42%



INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

Where do they come from and what is their destination in Chiapas?

CHIAPAS

Soconusco Region 42%

GUATEMALAN AGRICULTURAL WORKERS DOCUMENTED BY INM WITH FMTF 2010

San Marcos

Quetzaltenango

GUATEMALA

Suchitépequez

Alta Verapaz

San Marcos

Huehuetenango

Frailesca Region 45%

Source: Centre for Migration Studies of the National Institute of Migration based on immigration records, 2010.

Cd. Hidalgo Cd. CuauhtémocFrailescaLa Concordia 328 Km. 328 Km.Ángel Albino Corzo 449 Km. 380 Km.

Distance from Border

10


Main destination regions and municipalities in Chiapas:

Frailesca Region (IV): • La Concordia• Ángel Albino Corzo

Soconusco Region (VIII):• Mazatán• Tapachula• Hidalgo Border


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

2010-2007 (vs.) 2000-1990- 61%

GUATEMALAN WORKERS DOCUMENTED BY INM IN BORDER CROSSINGS IN CHIAPAS, 1990 - 2010

11

0

10.000

20.000

30.000

40.000

50.000

60.000

70.000

80.000

90.000

100.000

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Average 70,000

Average 42,000

Average 28,000


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

An indicator of:• Deterioration of the agricultural labour market in Chiapas.• Increase in labour informality in the region.• Movement to non-agricultural sectors.• Existence of a binational formal labour market, regardless of

the immigration procedures that are in force.

Recent Characteristics and Trends in Documentation for Guatemalan Border Workers, 1990 - 2010

Guatemalan Agricultural Workers (FMVA) (1997 – March

2008)• Chiapas• Agricultural sector • Valid for one year• Employment offer

required

Border Workers (FMTF) (April 2008 to date)

• Chiapas, Tabasco, Quintana Roo and Campeche

• Any economic sector• Valid for one year• Employment offer required

12


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

ALTERNATIVE FOR DECISION-MAKING ON MIGRATION POLICY

RECENT STATUS OF GUATEMALAN MIGRANT WORKERS IN SOUTHERN MEXICO

ALTERNATIVES

Maintain the status quo

Recognize the reality and promote a legal stay for workers

The most viable way to provide certainty and facilitate the protection of the rights of workers is to provide migration documents in a broad and flexible manner. However, this is not enough. 13

Try to block the border

Temporary worker programme


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

EXPANDED AND IMPROVED IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS

To facilitate cross-border life in southern Mexico and the binational regional development

Expanding Immigration Form for Local Visitors

(FMVL)

Immigration Form for Border Workers

(FMTF)

Migration Regularization Programme 2008-2011

New technologies for immigration documents

Electronic entry and exit records

Contributes to national and regional border security.

Contributes to the protection of the rights of migrants.

Basis: Acknowledging the Existing Reality

MIGRATION PROGRAMME FOR THE SOUTHERN BORDER

14


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

.

Given the current conditions and history of the Mexican southern border, the mobility of Guatemalan workers occurs according to the economic dynamics in the region with a binational formal labour market.

FMTF has advanced in managing the flows of Guatemalan migrant workers and defending their rights. However, this does not guarantee the enforcement of labour and social rights.

Various employers, mainly coffee growers, have adopted partial or specific schemes to provide health care and education to migrant workers and/or their companions.

Changes in rules and agreements between Mexican government agencies are

required as well as binational agreements with Guatemala in terms of contributions to social security and its portability from one country to another.

FMTF shows interest in a migration policy oriented towards migration regulation and flexibility.

However, thousands of undocumented workers are still entering, as well as others without a work permit, although there is evidence of the beginning of a gradual change.

15


INS

TITU

TO N

AC

ION

AL

DE

MIG

RA

CIÓ

N

CE

NTR

O D

E E

STU

DIO

S M

IGR

ATO

RIO

S

Primary Challenges:

2. To direct crossings to formal points of entry.

3. To improve migration records and controls.

4. To improve infrastructure and equipment.

6. To increase coordination and cooperation between Mexican federal and state entities.

To address the demands arising from cross-border

life in a comprehensive manner, in terms of

facilitating mobility, rights, and security.

1. To achieve an increased and improved documentation of Guatemalan migrant workers.

7. To increase coordination and cooperation with Guatemala. 16

5. To obtain contributions and access to social security for workers, within a context of high labour mobility.