Sample of Comments from Maquiladora Survey Respondents

While it may be clear from the survey results that the majority of maquiladoras in Northern Mexico participate in some form of charitable activities within their community, the depth of feeling that many maquiladora managers have about participating within their communities was notable.  When asked about what results their charitable activities had within their communities, or if they had any additional comments, most survey participants wanted to say something.  A sample of their responses follows:

Our corporation has a small budget of approximately $50,000 Pesos annually.  However, we try to make every Peso count, which is why we make sure that our contributions reach those organizations in which we have a strong interest to assist in its development.  If a charitable tax-incentive was in place, I think that the philanthropic activity of the corporations would increase exponentially. 

Over the fourteen years this company has been in existence, we have donated large sums of money for paving roads in our Colonia ($1500), to a new university - Universidad Tecnológica del Norte de Coahuila ($3000), new Guarderia in our colonia ($4000); [and] cleaning and repainting schools, parks, sports facilities.  Management has been totally involved in the community being on the board of directors of Rotary Club, Canacintra, Consejo de Maquiladoras, Maverick County Development Corp., [and] any and every committee that comes up.  

We have assisted schools by improving their equipment, students by providing development opportunities, and families with dignified living. 

We take pride in working with our local community and providing opportunities for professional and personal development.  The vast majority of maquiladoras are not sweatshops that violate laws and take advantage of employees. 

[Our company] does not count with a fund available for these types of activities.  I believe that it’s the corporate headquarters in New York who administers the fund for donations.

[In 2004], we had a flood that drowned more than thirty people and wiped out 6 colonias in Piedras Negras.  The management and employees worked on the relief effort for six weeks.  The first week many worked 16 hours a day for more than seven days….[The] Manager accepted responsibility for the Centro de Acopio, receiving donated food and goods, controlling the inventory seeing that it was distributed to the needy families with the aid of various social clubs (Rotary, Lions, Red Cross, and local churches).  Employees did everything that was necessary from shoveling mud out of homes, filling sand bags, sorting donated food and clothing, distributing food and clothing, and working in the Centro do Acopio unloading and reloading donated items…. We did not track the daily hours or cost, we did what we felt was our duty and responsibility.

Our organization is focused on four groups:: Our clients, whom we exists for as an organization; our personnel for whom we seek for a better lifestyle for them and their families ;and our community which we never forget because we are part of it and we grow in it.

Keeping young kids in school rather than only working, especially 16 year old girls.

Hopefully all industries will participate in philanthropic programs, because this is the way that we can collaborate to create a better Mexico for our employees, their families and our future professionals. 

Supporting charitable groups and organizations helps as an example to other businesses to also contribute.