On June 9th 2013, the Guatemalan Union Indigenous and Peasant Movement –MSICG- and the Center for the Study and Support of Local Development –CEADEL- launched into life the union called: CENTRAL OF THE MAQUILA INDUSTRY WORKERS OF GUATEMALA –CENTRIMAG-.

This is the first union of the maquila industry in the country’s history, and by launching it, MSICG and CEADEL expect to improve the precarious labor conditions that maquila workers face, which in many cases equal forced labor.

The formation of this new union within the structure of MSICG is part of the strategy of transformation of unionism in Guatemala, and another step in leaving the company unions behind as an element of dispersion and weakening of union struggles.

MSICG and CEADEL remember that workers confronting industrial unions is an organization possibility that has been attempted to prevent in our country and, taking into account this is the first challenge to such obstacles, a wide juridical and political union strategy has been put together which should guarantee full access of the Guatemalan working class to industry unionism.

MSICG and CEADEL are pleased by the determination and commitment of the companions that have formed CENTRIMAG and welcomes them right out to the union and social-political struggles for the transformation of Guatemala’s social exclusions.

Guatemala, June 17th,  2013.

MSICG - CEADEL