Global Workers Defender Network
Inaugural Training, April 2008
In April, 2008, Global Workers proudly launched the Global Workers Defender Network. After two years of laying the groundwork, Global Workers invited 23 advocates from 13 human rights organizations from southern Mexico and Guatemala to Tapachula, Mexico from April 28-30 to the first Training on Defending Transnational Migrant Workers in the United States. The excitement for the launch of this unprecedented network was palpable.
Over three days, these seasoned human rights advocates learned about the legal rights of migrant workers in the United States. In addition, they learned how to identify cases of workers who have returned to Mexico and Guatemala after suffering labor and trafficking abuses in the United States. Time was also dedicated to the details of civil litigation so these Defenders can skillfully partner with US advocates to seek justice for individual workers in US courts. Finally, Mexican and Guatemalan legal experts explored the myriad of recruitment abuses H-2 guestworkers suffer before leaving to work the USA.
Fore more information and pictures from the event, see below.
Declaration from the event (in Spanish) (in English)
For more information on the event, please see our blog for April 27, April 28, April 29, and April 30.
Global Workers Justice Alliance. 789 Washington Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11238