I have translated sections of an editorial today in La Jornada written by Napoleón Gómez Urrutia. He is the head of Mexico's union of mine workers. After you read the editorial, you will find a bit of information about Gómez Urrutia. He is indeed an interesting person.
México y EU, Grandes desafíos
Napoleón Gómez Urrutia
24 enero 2013
....Mexico and the
government of Enriue Peña Nieto should maintain a "healthy distance"
in collaborating [with the US and Canada] in
some matters and in
strengthening national sovereignty in others in order protect the natural
riches and to provide justice, respect and dignity for Mexicans. Peña Nieto has
to prove himself to be what Mexico needs
and expects of him.
He can´t improvise or commit serious errors which put into play the destiny of
the nation. Sufficient accumulated problems exist because they were
neglected for more than a decade....-
Regarding the issue
of migration, both Obama and Peña Nieto should move toward a true agreement
which respects the dignity and the rights of the Mexican workers in the United
States. This should be one of both presidents ’major reforms, and it has
already been proposed by Obama. The president of the US ought to push to
regularize the legal status of more than 11 million people who still find
themselves in ambiguous circumstances. But it is also a grave
responsibility for the government of Mexico. The government has the
responsibility of creating worthwhile jobs to stem the flow of Mexicans toward
the neighboring countries of North America. In fact, there already exist
voices, especially in the unions of the US which are demanding that
their government find a solution to this phenomenon....
We can't ignore the
fact that Mexico has become more vulnerable. A natural catastrophe or some
social or political conflict could put at grave risk the ...system of peace,
security and tranquility
which is [in any
case] superficial. One ought not to be falsely optimistic. The risks are there
and they derive from carelessness and complete neglect during the years of
the previous administrations which further drags Mexico towards a potential
crisis. The insecurity of
unemployment, the
world financial crisis, poverty and marginalization along with climate changes
and unexpected meteorological phenomena, continue to simmer under the
surface and time does not permit improvisation or the application of wrong
policies which only serve to aggravate the situation.
Mexico can no longer
wait, nor can the anxiety and incertainty of Mexicans continue [without
consequences].
For this reason, Mexico's government, as a signatory along with the
US and Canada of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) ought to
stop neglecting the subject of labor and instead meet the obligations of
the Complementary
Labor Agreement is included in NAFTA.
Canada and the US
have sufficient power to revise NAFTA in this regard and to ensure that
the government of Mexico ceases its repression and constant violation of
labor and human rights of the working classes and of unions.
Today Peña Nieto has
before him the responsibility of achieving national reconciliation and
finding the new opportunities which the population wants and hopes for.
Mexico's present model of development cannot continue to operate only for
the benefit of the few.
This is the reality
of a country like Mexico which has one of the highest concentrations of wealth
in very vew hands. Mexico ought to have a social conscience which changes
the high levels of exploitation of and injustice to the enormous majority of
the population it exploits....
Obama said very
clearly: "A country with extreme inequality has no future." We could
add that a nation without freedom and justice neither can advance to
greater levels of development. If a true state of law
does not exist and
the government is only used to benefit a small minority, then Mexico will be at
permanent risk.
History will be the witness.
******************
Napoleon Gómez
Urrutia is the head of the miner's union in Mexico. He has been, according to
El Proeceso, "self-exiled" in Canada since 2006 when ten (or eleven)
accusations and warrants for his apprehension were issued against him for
charges of fraud.. Ten (or eleven) have been resolved in his favor and
there is apparently no current warrant for hi apprehension. However, not all
miners support him, and yesterday some ordered that he be apprehended for
the embezzlement of 55 milllion dollars.
He was re-elected to the union presidency in 2008 and actively leads it from his Canadian home.
In future posts I will address the issue of labor and social rights that
indeed was included in NAFTA but which have sort of faded into the mist in the
US as well as Mexico.
Trade,
agricultural and labor issues are very
complex and fluid and important. Things
are not always what they seem. The same issues of inequality which exist in the
US and which seem to be perpetuated by current systems exist in Mexico with
greater consequences for more people.