SEAMSTRESSES


On September 19 1985, two earthquakes revealed the way in which seamstresses were exploited in clandestine workshops in Mexico City. Thousands died trapped next to their sewing machines. The experience enabled the survivors to form two unions, which offered some good news for the country and a glimmer of hope for the exploited seamstresses. As time passed, their struggles were forgotten, their rights were, once again, abandoned, and the seamstresses were condemned to the same poverty they experienced before.

On  September 19 2017, Mexico City shook again and, once again, the marginalized seamstresses suffered a tragic fate. As victims of factory exploitation, around 200 died under a mountain of debris in workshops on Chimalpopoca and Bolívar streets. The debris was promptly removed and not a single body was accounted for. Relatives and neighbors have claimed that there are not even lists or coroner’s records with listing any missing worker.

For this reason, around 100 women gathered with clothes, flowers, cardboard to protests against what they denounced as femicides. A memorial was erected by feminist groups and brigades, who placed flowers, candles and banners that read: "Long live we love each other", "#NiUnaMás" and "Our bodies are not waste". With their fists in the air, the women named the companies that the seamstresses worked for and singled them out as "killers" for doing nothing.



< PREV   NEXT >