Jeana L. Flahive, Colby College

Date of Award

1998

Document Type

Honors Thesis (Open Access)

Department

Colby College. Global Studies Program

Advisor(s)

Patrice M. Franko

Second Advisor

Kenneth Rodman

Abstract

Is it possible that the new corporate attitude of responsibility and pressure from Codes of Conduct could create a situation where the benefits of the maquiladora industry can be maximized while the costs are minimized? Results from four best practice, responsible maquilas in Guatemala will be considered in this thesis. The maquilas used as case examples, Intraexa, Esdisa, Korarnsa, and Cardiz, all share similar standards of operation. They are all in compliance with Guatemalan labor law; some even go beyond what the law requires. Each of the factories is certified as complying with all of the principles in AGEXPRONT's Code of Conduct. The gains of these maquilas is documented in the following text on the basis of wages, benefits, weekly schedules, alternative employment opportunities, and general observations. The labor standards and conditions are also examined by reviewing the type of implementation and monitoring systems which the maquilas use and their compliance with the Code of Conduct. Through the examination of these four maquilas the opportunity to compare their present behavior with the history of exploitation and the stories of other maquilas' abuses arises .

Keywords

Investments, Foreign -- Guatemala, Labor laws and legislation -- Guatemala, Offshore assembly industry -- Guatemala

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