Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Christmas Bonuses in Juarez Maquiladoras Will be Down 25% from Last Year

Antonio Rebolledo, Norte, (click here for story) reports that Christmas bonuses for maquila plant workers this year will likely be at least 25% lower than last year. Soledad Máynez Bribiesca, president of the Association of Maquiladoras explained that, while employment figures for the last quarter are up, the total number of maquila employees in Juarez is not expected to reach 2008 levels until the last quarter of 2010. Currently there is a chamber of commerce-sponsored media promotion labeled "If we Buy in Juarez We All Win," (Si en Juárez compramos, todos ganamos”) hoping to stimulate consumption by citizens.

In Mexico Christmas bonuses are far more widespread, because of legal requirements for them, than in the U.S., and employees tend to count on them to pay for Christmas shopping.

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