Personal account of a factory
worker
A 23-year-old, named Manuel, who now works
at Sanyo, said that when he first arrived in Oizumi he worked 12-hour shifts
at another factory, alternating every two weeks from night shifts to day
shifts. He worked seven days a week with no days off except for New Years
Day. His workmates included 60 Brazilians as well as a few Bolivians, Peruvians
and Colombians. Most workers work double shifts. He explained that, "working
the normal schedule is not enough. Its just to pay rent, electricity, water,
food and then the money is gone." Manuel has to send money back to
his father in Brazil and says that if he had only himself to take care of,
he would return to Brazil.