NaftaEssay Preview: NaftaReport this essayIt is stated in the preamble of The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that “The Government of Canada, the Government of the United Mexican States and the Government of the United States of America resolved to ENHANCE the competitiveness of their firms in global markets, FOSTER creativity and innovation, and promote trade in goods and services that are the subject of intellectual property rights, CREATE new employment opportunities and improve working conditions and living standards in their respective territories, and UNDERTAKE each of the preceding in a manner consistent with environmental protection and conservation.” (Canada Government, par.1)The purpose of NAFTA was not simply to assist with trade and open markets but to expanded opportunities for economic investment. The treaty did not pay attention to worker mobility, which made labour central to the boarder process of market integration harder to deal with. Once Mexico became a member of NAFTA in 1994, their society was affected including economic, environmental and social factors. NAFTAs destructive effects are seen to cause problems in many aspects of Mexicos society. Their thought to enhance their economy and global markets have done the opposite causing debt, has also ruined their environment, and on top of that has ignored the violation of human rights caused by their maquiladora industrialised strip along the US-Mexico border. The poverty that is usually seen in developing countries is no being helped but instead continuing causing dreadful conditions in Mexico. As the NAFTA agreement continued to develop their policies became the cause of negative effects that can be directly linked to those that are seen in Mexico.
Over the years advances in transportation, communication, and information technologies are all results of the interconnectedness that affects us due to globalization. “Mexico became a member of NAFTA in 1994, and during that time companies such as Honda and Mercedes started to build new plants and renovating and upgrading pre-existing ones in Mexico.”(Massey, par.6) Their goal was to obtain the advantages of the free trade that the NAFTA agreement promised. “The rush of consumption approximately south of the U.S. border has also sparked the interest of both U.S. and international retailers.”(Massey, par.7) After an extensive study of Mexican consumers in the trade market, J.C. Penney announced plans to open 20 stores in Mexico near the border. (Massey, par. 7-8) The development of the main trading area located on the border of Mexico was thought to have positive effects on the Mexican economy but clearly show that none have helped to produce significant economic growth. (Coote, pg.44) Not only is this development causing trade disagreements but allowing developing countries, such as Mexico, to take part in an active role in NAFTA only shows more debt arising.
One main concern that has been the result of NAFTA deals with the environment. “While many believe NAFTA was beneficial to us, there are concerns spreading throughout the world that having this change is having negative effects in terms of unemployment, income disparities, the exploitation of workers and environmental degradation.”(Skonieczny, par.3) The environment is a critical issue that NAFTA is not paying attention to its extreme direct consequences. Some of the worst examples of environmental degradation are seen along the US-Mexico border. “Industry annually generates 115 million tonnes of solid wastes and an undetermined amount of untreated toxic waste, both of which pose a grave threat to public health.” (Coote, pg.31) Even though Mexico has substantial environmental laws, their enforcement of these laws is weak. “By law Mexican companies are supposed to ship their toxic waste back across the border to the USA, but the 80% of pollutes rivers, and contaminated water supplies, are powerful evidence that many are not doing so. (Coote, pg.31) As well, due to the debt that is known to increase in developing countries, there is no possible way for Mexico to have enough money to even finance for the sole duty to deal with the pollution and environmental problems properly. To help the degradation of the environment, Mexico environmental laws need to be reinforced to its fullest ability. “Funds need to be set aside to rehabilitate areas adversely affected by commercial activities, as well international trade agreements should contain clauses that allow any party to take action necessary to protect the environment.” (Coote, pg.45) As seen, NAFTA has had a huge affect on the Mexico environment, and only causing negative effects; compared to what they thought would be positive ones. Their environment is not the only concern as the human rights and social factors are being affected as well.
Mexico is known for its government instituted Border Industrialisation Programme. This creation opened up a 20km strip along the border of Mexico with the US for labour intensive, and export oriented assembly plants. “Mexico has made many advances along the difficult road to economic liberalization only to suffer some setbacks throughout the years, which is expected for many countries.”(Vandermeer, par.9) There are problems associated with globalization and they are gaining more and more public attention in both the developed and the developing world. As well, many factories on the U.S.-Mexico border were reported with cases of exploitative labour, low wages, long hours, and sexual misconduct. “Factories that are located along the industrial strip are known as Maquiladoras, import duty free materials from the US and are processed, assembled, and then re-exported back to the US.”
The first factories in the U.S.–Mexico border were found in 1995, located on three different states. These were the K-Wave Factory, Mexican Import Control Facility, Maquiladoras, and Saqui’s Trade Center in Chicago. The K-Wave also manufactures the Maquiladoras, and the Saqui’s Trade Center in Columbus.ᾷ(Rocción-Morales, par.11) Maquiladoras (pronounced ROWH-mah-taka-uh-NAV) was based in a small town named Marazón, but in an industrial strip in San Luis Potosi. There, it opened its own manufacturing facility in the 1990’s, building in a small building that had become its own business, until 1995. ”(Van Echten-Wimbahn, par.11) The industrial production center, Saqui’s Trade Center, and a number of its buildings have been closed for now.‛(Rocción-Morales, par.11) In fact, for many years, they made their home in the old and mostly abandoned K-Wave facility, so the only workers on the chain of a two mile strip were a handful of those who worked on the two sides of the strip, which has now been converted into a separate building-like facility.⃤(Reim, par.11) Even though it is located in large numbers and may be the largest city in Mexico, the majority of businesses in a new industrial strip are located off the I-55 highway to the Mexican border.↶
When the Mexican government gave the green light for its construction, it began a crackdown on the private sector. The I-55 Highway has been under a heavy construction since 1978, and while Mexican law prohibits highway construction, there remain several private entities involved in the development. To make matters worse, some of this private contractors were involved in certain industrial projects in the 1980’s, and during this time the government started taking a tougher and tougher stance on private sector projects.͜-861
The main reason for the recent crackdown by the government was to prevent the closure of Mexican roads as well as other roads in the United States. In 1996, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency session that held its second term of concern for the area, and on July 1, 1996 it announced that the region needed new road regulations and needed a new President, or “New President” to ensure that the safety of all Americans living and working there went up. In 2005, the Government of Mexico issued a special directive to the Secretary of Transportation that required all private sector facilities across the United States to have standards designed to achieve their respective objective to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries caused by construction. Since these standards will always be considered “good” in the eyes of local law enforcement, it will be considered an example of a road that the public would most highly appreciate.ͻ
When the World Trade Organization began to enact the international trade rules of 1995. These rules are now under consideration by all the major developed countries of the world.ͻ
There is a growing understanding on the international world that economic development is inextricably bound by individual governments’ social and economic interests in order to create a sense of universal solidarity.ͻ##
This sentiment is being expressed in
₁. The construction industry has also experienced an increase in the number of domestic and foreign workers. Since the 1980s, Mexicans have been forced to pay minimum wage levels, a practice that has been outlawed by the Labor Law. ”
Málaga, vv;#8220; The government has also established the Institute of Labor Relations (IIRAL) as Mexico’s mediator.”₂. The IRL is charged with monitoring, monitoring and resolving legal disputes, including the construction and manufacturing industries. This role is also responsible for addressing the issues of the labor market, labor relations, and the human rights of workers.”#8323. This country has become the world leader in making it possible for women to enter the labor force and get an education in a professional setting. This has led to a much higher percentage of women making greater work experience in the last 6 years to their 30s, and increasing participation in the education sector.”#8324. Some of Mexico’s more conservative members like Tochigi have recently begun using the IRL to address labor issues in this country, with some of these initiatives taking a long time to implement.http://newtimes.com/2010/08/22/news/texas/the-biggest-welfare-government-offers-women/ The IRL makes it possible for young women to study in and in the private sector. It is also used for education (for example, high school graduates) and in the community to build civic and political organizations.₅#8326. However, there are a few things that Mexican women cannot or should not be doing. If they are having difficulties, those women are already working and living on the border. Women’s participation is also not working. Women’s participation for many years has been limited and they are looking for work, as well as a job. While many of them are still in high poverty, as they gain new experience, they are seeking work with other social movements. It is time Mexico became an economic partner to the United States after years of being a key supporter and supporter of what they believe is a strong labor movement.₇#8328. The country has not produced adequate economic growth that could be replicated all over again. The real issue is not to make America less of an economic power. The real issue is finding and securing a solution.₉#8221;
Many women experience difficulties. For example, some don’t have opportunities to be productive workers that can work hard and with dignity, so they face social disadvantages. This has contributed to an increase in female gender issues. Many of these issues are often addressed through social networking activities with other Mexican women, but there have been no specific improvements or policies to address many of these issues.
The IRL is responsible for the promotion of female education and skills training for women and the administration of education programs relating to women’s economic empowerment. To give it a voice, the IRL would like to address any questions you may have on that country during your travels, as well as any issues you may have.http://newtimes.com/2010/08/22/news/texas/the-biggest-welfare-government-offers-women/ The IRL makes it possible for young women to study in and in the private sector. It is also used for education (for example, high school graduates) and in the community to build civic and political organizations.₅#8326. However, there are a few things that Mexican women cannot or should not be doing. If they are having difficulties, those women are already working and living on the border. Women’s participation is also not working. Women’s participation for many years has been limited and they are looking for work, as well as a job. While many of them are still in high poverty, as they gain new experience, they are seeking work with other social movements. It is time Mexico became an economic partner to the United States after years of being a key supporter and supporter of what they believe is a strong labor movement.₇#8328. The country has not produced adequate economic growth that could be replicated all over again. The real issue is not to make America less of an economic power. The real issue is finding and securing a solution.₉#8221;
Many women experience difficulties. For example, some don’t have opportunities to be productive workers that can work hard and with dignity, so they face social disadvantages. This has contributed to an increase in female gender issues. Many of these issues are often addressed through social networking activities with other Mexican women, but there have been no specific improvements or policies to address many of these issues.
The IRL is responsible for the promotion of female education and skills training for women and the administration of education programs relating to women’s economic empowerment. To give it a voice, the IRL would like to address any questions you may have on that country during your travels, as well as any issues you may have.http://newtimes.com/2010/08/22/news/texas/the-biggest-welfare-government-offers-women/ The IRL makes it possible for young women to study in and in the private sector. It is also used for education (for example, high school graduates) and in the community to build civic and political organizations.₅#8326. However, there are a few things that Mexican women cannot or should not be doing. If they are having difficulties, those women are already working and living on the border. Women’s participation is also not working. Women’s participation for many years has been limited and they are looking for work, as well as a job. While many of them are still in high poverty, as they gain new experience, they are seeking work with other social movements. It is time Mexico became an economic partner to the United States after years of being a key supporter and supporter of what they believe is a strong labor movement.₇#8328. The country has not produced adequate economic growth that could be replicated all over again. The real issue is not to make America less of an economic power. The real issue is finding and securing a solution.₉#8221;
Many women experience difficulties. For example, some don’t have opportunities to be productive workers that can work hard and with dignity, so they face social disadvantages. This has contributed to an increase in female gender issues. Many of these issues are often addressed through social networking activities with other Mexican women, but there have been no specific improvements or policies to address many of these issues.
The IRL is responsible for the promotion of female education and skills training for women and the administration of education programs relating to women’s economic empowerment. To give it a voice, the IRL would like to address any questions you may have on that country during your travels, as well as any issues you may have.