Push To Reopen Factories Raises Health Concerns In Sonora
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“Today, I read a story in the news that surprised and troubled me,” Sonoran Health Secretary Enrique Clausen said gravely during his nightly COVID-19 update last Sunday.
The head of Index Sonora, which represents export manufacturers in much of the state, had announced that nearly 200 plants would be partially opening up as soon as Monday, May 11.
“Just yesterday we announced that, in agreement with the Sonoran scientific community, the coming weeks are crucial for stopping the COVID-19 pandemic,” he continued.
Cases and deaths in Sonora have been rising more quickly in recent days, with health authorities predicting a peak sometime in mid-May. Opening up on May 11 or during the period of greatest spread would mean more cases and more deaths, according to Clausen. A border plant in a neighboring state has been the site of a major outbreak, with numerous deaths, according to a recent report in Reuters.
Such deaths in Sonora “will have first and last names,” Clausen said. “The first and last names of those who decided to open during the period of greatest spread.”
Gerardo Vazquez, head of Index Sonora, was called out personally in the secretary’s comments.
“I hold (Clausen) responsible for any material or immaterial harm that his irresponsible statement does to our sector,” Vazquez said.
“We will open up the moment the federal government allows us to open gradually,” he said, adding later that he expects that in mid-May. The state’s massive automotive sector will be prioritized.
Reopening will require great care, he said, and the industry is working with American and Canadian counterparts to develop best practices to keep workers safe.
But he thinks the threat posed by COVID-19 has been overblown by Clausen and others to sow terror. He points to the greater number of Sonorans killed in violence in recent months than by the virus.
“The number versus Sonora’s total population is very low,” he said. “The lethality is very low.”
As of Wednesday evening, there were 44 deaths and 451 cases confirmed in the state, according to state figures.
'We Understand the Risk'
Up on the border in Nogales, the industry has taken a different tack on reopening, working more with state authorities on a plan.
“We understand the risk. We understand the severity of this virus,” said Josh Rubin, a board member with Index Nogales. “We’re definitely not trying to fight the government.”
In the wake of the state’s emergency declaration in late March, roughly two-thirds of the 45,000 workers employed by the city’s numerous plants were sent home with reduced pay. Since then, Rubin said state authorities have allowed several thousand to return.
“One, they're realizing that the companies can't handle paying them too much longer,” he said. “Two, they’re realizing that If they can't get orders out, then these companies are going to close down and you’re going to have companies laying off a lot of employees without jobs during a time when there’s no income and nobody hiring.”
Rubin said he doesn’t expect a comprehensive reopening plan until state authorities see what happens during the peak. When — and if — that comes, he says plants will implement a number of policies to prevent workplace spread: temperature taking, adequate spacing, protective equipment, paid sick leave and properly sanitized transportation to and from the workplace, among others. Many plants are also offering additional pay.
Legal Vacuum
But soon, the 30 days of mandated minimum wages paid by employers to workers sent home end will end, according to Rubin. He thinks unemployment insurance expansions and payroll loans, as seen in the United States’ pandemic response, could help, but such proposals would be costly for Mexico.
“So next week, employees are going to start seeing a reduced check,” he said.
“We’re in a legal vacuum,” said Javier Villarreal, head of the massive Sonoran branch of the Mexican Workers Confederation union, of the situation surrounding pay for idled workers.
He thinks that dialogue between businesses, the government and workers could bring a solution, but he doesn’t see the political will yet. As to when and how to reopen, Villarreal said that Clausen’s warnings need to be taken seriously.
“Our position is that we privilege health, security and the lives of people,” he said, adding that concern for the health of businesses should come second.
