The Invisible Contract
- Description
- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
Who cleans your city? The Invisible Contract reflects on the concept of being invisible, drawing on the testimony, experiences, and scenes from the lives of women in charge of cleaning public spaces in Mexico City. Told with a range of narrative devices including observational cinema, interviews, testimonial cinema, and fiction, all leading to a reflection on invisibility and job precariousness. The documentary portrays women's daily struggle to be heard, a constant fight to improve their labor conditions, each in their own way, focusing on their lives and points of view, with the aim of shining a spotlight and reinterpreting the invisibility of their existence.
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Distributor subjects
Labor Precariousness; Human Rights Abuse; Female VulnerabilityKeywords
00:00:10.260 --> 00:00:40.832
[ominous music]
00:00:40.832 --> 00:01:05.398
[ominous music, static,
breathing]
00:01:05.398 --> 00:01:15.950
[ominous music, interference]
00:01:15.950 --> 00:01:37.680
[ominous music, steam,
breathing]
00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:56.658
[ominous music, steam]
00:01:58.743 --> 00:02:02.914
National Cinemateque
00:02:03.414 --> 00:02:13.174
[ominous music,
indistinct voices]
00:02:18.012 --> 00:02:19.264
[broom sweeping]
00:02:19.264 --> 00:02:19.639
Good morning.
00:02:20.265 --> 00:02:21.224
Good morning.
00:02:21.391 --> 00:02:24.227
- What's your name?
- Teresa Salinas.
00:02:24.644 --> 00:02:27.981
- How long have you worked here?
- Eight years.
00:02:30.483 --> 00:02:31.818
Do you like your job?
00:02:31.985 --> 00:02:34.154
- Sure.
- What do you like about it?
00:02:34.571 --> 00:02:36.030
Well... everything.
00:02:37.574 --> 00:02:38.783
What don't you like...
00:02:39.159 --> 00:02:41.411
- ... about it?
- What don't I like?
00:02:42.162 --> 00:02:44.122
I'm used to it by now.
00:02:44.789 --> 00:02:47.542
What objects have you found here?
00:02:49.043 --> 00:02:50.170
Wallets, phones,
00:02:51.171 --> 00:02:51.963
rings...
00:02:52.881 --> 00:02:53.715
All kinds.
00:02:54.716 --> 00:03:00.346
- What's the most unusual thing you've found?
- Women's underwear.
00:03:03.808 --> 00:03:04.976
I´m Elena Samantha.
00:03:04.976 --> 00:03:08.730
But Elena, so you won't forget.
00:03:09.564 --> 00:03:11.983
How long have you
worked here?
00:03:12.567 --> 00:03:13.776
Not long.
00:03:15.236 --> 00:03:17.030
Do you like your job?
00:03:17.197 --> 00:03:19.449
Sure, I like it.
00:03:21.659 --> 00:03:24.245
What do you like
and don't like about it?
00:03:24.454 --> 00:03:27.207
I like it all.
All of it.
00:03:28.082 --> 00:03:30.501
What else
do you want to ask?
00:03:30.668 --> 00:03:33.171
I want to find out
how you're treated,
00:03:33.922 --> 00:03:35.548
if the work is to hard...
00:03:36.257 --> 00:03:39.010
The gentleman and the lady,
our supervisor...
00:03:39.302 --> 00:03:41.262
... are very decent people.
00:03:42.347 --> 00:03:44.807
... because they've treated me
very well.
00:03:46.267 --> 00:03:47.477
As for the work,
00:03:47.644 --> 00:03:49.729
she's given me easy jobs.
00:03:51.314 --> 00:03:52.565
At my age...
00:03:53.024 --> 00:03:55.401
... that's a good thing,
isn't it?
00:03:57.487 --> 00:04:00.156
Do you like cinema?
00:04:00.823 --> 00:04:02.951
Well...
To be honest, no.
00:04:03.868 --> 00:04:05.245
I don't.
00:04:05.370 --> 00:04:08.164
Especially these movies.
00:04:09.874 --> 00:04:14.545
I hardly like the other movies,
never mind these ones! Am I right?
00:04:14.545 --> 00:04:28.393
[ominous music, cars,
broom sweeping,
noise]
00:04:28.393 --> 00:05:02.969
[ominous music, bags,
broom sweeping,
noise]
00:05:02.969 --> 00:05:11.144
[door opening and closing]
00:05:11.144 --> 00:05:13.646
My name's Rosalba Martínez Ramírez.
00:05:13.938 --> 00:05:15.690
I'm 70 years old.
00:05:16.482 --> 00:05:19.152
I've been a street sweeper...
00:05:19.861 --> 00:05:21.612
... for 14 years.
00:05:22.196 --> 00:05:25.700
I started out with a company
at the Zocalo Square,
00:05:25.950 --> 00:05:29.203
because I wasn't making
much money,
00:05:29.537 --> 00:05:31.164
and I couldn't get by.
00:05:32.123 --> 00:05:34.625
But he said:
"Madam, you're very..."
00:05:35.001 --> 00:05:37.253
"... everyone here is much younger."
00:05:37.503 --> 00:05:40.173
"And I need men,
not women."
00:05:40.715 --> 00:05:43.343
I said: "Give me a chance,
please."
00:05:43.509 --> 00:05:46.804
"I need the work.
I won't let you down."
00:05:47.055 --> 00:05:50.391
"Okay," he said, "take a broom
and join the squad."
00:05:50.683 --> 00:05:52.560
I hardly knew
how to sweep.
00:05:53.436 --> 00:05:56.898
I didn't know
everything this job entailed.
00:05:57.357 --> 00:06:01.569
You may sweep at home, but being a
street sweeper is very different.
00:06:02.987 --> 00:06:06.741
Cleaning the city
is very different.
00:06:07.116 --> 00:06:13.623
[street noise, ambulance siren, cars]
00:06:14.749 --> 00:06:19.754
When Covid hit,
they made us older sweepers stop working.
00:06:21.756 --> 00:06:23.633
I used to work two shifts.
00:06:24.384 --> 00:06:27.678
One shift covered
food and basic expenses.
00:06:29.764 --> 00:06:32.767
And the other
allowed me to pay rent,
00:06:33.142 --> 00:06:37.105
buy a pair of shoes, some clothes,
whatever I needed.
00:06:37.105 --> 00:06:40.108
[street noise, truck horn]
00:06:40.108 --> 00:06:42.402
But I'm not working
that shift now.
00:06:42.568 --> 00:06:46.072
They told me to wait
until the Covid alert was over.
00:06:46.072 --> 00:06:47.407
[street noise]
00:06:47.407 --> 00:06:51.702
Now it's over,
so I'm trying to get it back.
00:06:51.702 --> 00:06:54.122
[street noise]
00:06:54.122 --> 00:06:56.791
- Rosalba, how long is a shift?
- Eight hours.
00:06:56.791 --> 00:07:05.091
[street noise]
00:07:05.091 --> 00:07:06.884
- Hi there!
00:07:07.301 --> 00:07:10.638
- Haven't the others arrived?
- No, they haven't.
00:07:10.972 --> 00:07:14.350
I saw the girls getting changed,
in La Raza
00:07:15.726 --> 00:07:20.106
- The two who sit here...
- Okay.
00:07:20.731 --> 00:07:23.943
- Aren't they coming?
- Who knows!
00:07:24.235 --> 00:07:26.237
Did they come earlier?
00:07:26.529 --> 00:07:29.657
Well, they make
their own decisions.
00:07:30.283 --> 00:07:30.950
That's true.
00:07:30.950 --> 00:07:32.577
[laughter]
00:07:32.577 --> 00:07:33.870
What happened to your hand?
00:07:34.036 --> 00:07:37.123
I fell over,
and since...
00:07:37.457 --> 00:07:41.377
... I didn't bandage it
at first,
00:07:41.627 --> 00:07:43.254
it got cold.
00:07:43.421 --> 00:07:47.967
Whenever I pick up something heavy
or push the broom hard, it hurts.
00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:53.097
I just heard
that the meeting point...
00:07:53.556 --> 00:07:56.893
... is in La Raza,
and we should go there now.
00:07:57.477 --> 00:07:59.520
That's what Marina said.
00:08:01.355 --> 00:08:03.024
Hurry, no talking!
00:08:03.024 --> 00:08:07.278
[street noise]
00:08:07.612 --> 00:08:09.197
Most of us are already here.
00:08:09.322 --> 00:08:13.784
[street noise]
00:08:13.784 --> 00:08:15.244
They summoned us here.
00:08:15.411 --> 00:08:20.500
No one told me, though!
We went over there, right?
00:08:20.750 --> 00:08:22.585
If Marina hadn't told us...
00:08:23.503 --> 00:08:26.964
... we wouldn't have made it.
The van drove past!
00:08:27.548 --> 00:08:31.802
They didn't tell us to come here,
maybe they didn't know.
00:08:32.803 --> 00:08:37.016
But they must have known
since they left.
00:08:37.016 --> 00:08:43.397
[street noise, cars]
00:08:43.397 --> 00:08:44.649
Attention, please.
00:08:44.815 --> 00:08:45.983
- The women?
- Yes.
00:08:46.150 --> 00:08:49.570
As you can see,
some people are recording,
00:08:50.238 --> 00:08:52.031
they'll be filming us...
00:08:52.532 --> 00:08:54.450
... for a documentary
or something.
00:08:54.825 --> 00:08:58.913
I'm telling you this
so you won't worry...
00:08:59.372 --> 00:09:02.166
... about them recording you
for some bad reason.
00:09:02.708 --> 00:09:04.752
You do your job as usual,
00:09:05.086 --> 00:09:07.964
and just ignore them.
00:09:09.757 --> 00:09:10.424
Get moving.
00:09:11.300 --> 00:09:13.970
Two, four, six, eight, ten... Go.
00:09:13.970 --> 00:09:20.768
[street noise, cars]
00:09:20.768 --> 00:09:22.353
- Should I take these?
- Yes.
00:09:22.520 --> 00:09:25.356
- Do I just hand them over?
- I'll do it.
00:09:25.356 --> 00:09:31.070
[street noise]
00:09:31.070 --> 00:09:34.740
This stretch, all the way to Churubusco,
has the most leaves.
00:09:34.907 --> 00:09:38.452
I suggest you use
the long broom here.
00:09:38.661 --> 00:09:41.330
This is where you'll need
the long broom.
00:09:41.581 --> 00:09:43.708
The short one
won't do the job.
00:09:43.708 --> 00:09:50.006
[street noise, indistinct voices]
00:09:50.006 --> 00:09:52.091
Use the other one
further along.
00:09:52.091 --> 00:10:12.028
[street noise, cars, horns, ominous
music]
00:10:12.028 --> 00:10:22.288
[ominous music,
brooms sweeping]
00:10:22.288 --> 00:10:35.635
[street noise, cars, ambulance siren]
00:10:37.219 --> 00:10:38.804
[door opening]
00:10:39.972 --> 00:10:41.932
My name's Gregoria Martinez.
00:10:42.183 --> 00:10:45.019
I'm 50 years old,
and I...
00:10:45.728 --> 00:10:47.355
... collect garbage.
00:10:48.648 --> 00:10:50.316
I call out to people,
00:10:51.400 --> 00:10:53.986
they come out,
give me their trash,
00:10:55.029 --> 00:10:58.949
and after a while,
I meet up with the truck...
00:11:01.619 --> 00:11:04.622
... to hand over the garbage
people have given me.
00:11:04.955 --> 00:11:06.582
What benefits
do you receive?
00:11:06.749 --> 00:11:09.168
I'm a volunteer,
I don't get anything.
00:11:09.627 --> 00:11:12.129
No benefits at all, none.
00:11:12.421 --> 00:11:16.759
I'm not paid any wages,
and I get by on...
00:11:17.093 --> 00:11:21.889
... any tips I get from the clients,
from my people.
00:11:22.556 --> 00:11:26.602
What about your work tools:
cart, brooms, etc.
00:11:26.936 --> 00:11:28.270
How does that work?
00:11:28.437 --> 00:11:31.399
Sure.
They provide all that...
00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:33.901
... at a low cost,
00:11:34.610 --> 00:11:35.653
you could say.
00:11:35.653 --> 00:12:07.351
[street noise,
cart tires]
00:12:07.351 --> 00:12:18.279
[garbage bags]
00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:29.540
[bags, bottles, cart]
00:12:30.124 --> 00:12:32.293
[indistinct voice]
00:12:32.668 --> 00:12:34.670
Eighty, right?
00:12:36.881 --> 00:12:38.883
- Thanks!
- Thank you!
00:12:39.967 --> 00:12:43.053
My dad had a garbage truck.
00:12:43.763 --> 00:12:46.724
He did this his whole life.
00:12:47.266 --> 00:12:51.645
We ended up doing it too.
It just happened.
00:12:51.812 --> 00:12:54.982
Bring out your trash!
00:12:54.982 --> 00:13:10.790
[street noise, bags, train]
00:13:11.415 --> 00:13:16.253
I like this work
because it doesn't take all day.
00:13:16.587 --> 00:13:19.673
There's no one
breathing down your neck.
00:13:19.965 --> 00:13:23.844
I like chatting,
I get along with people.
00:13:24.011 --> 00:13:25.930
I'm easygoing
and I...
00:13:26.388 --> 00:13:28.766
... don't like being
told what to do.
00:13:28.974 --> 00:13:31.644
Out here,
I'm my own boss.
00:13:33.062 --> 00:13:35.397
Where did you get those horns?
00:13:36.106 --> 00:13:38.067
They were in the trash.
00:13:39.109 --> 00:13:42.947
We often wear things...
00:13:43.906 --> 00:13:49.286
... we find, like masks,
yesterday I wore a big hat.
00:13:49.745 --> 00:13:54.333
It's all about having some fun,
00:13:54.542 --> 00:13:58.045
making people laugh,
getting a reaction.
00:13:58.963 --> 00:14:03.342
We make it fun.
Sometimes we wear stuff we find.
00:14:03.801 --> 00:14:06.554
The other day
I wore a mascot costume I'd found.
00:14:06.846 --> 00:14:07.847
It just...
00:14:08.264 --> 00:14:11.559
... makes the day more fun,
more entertaining.
00:14:11.851 --> 00:14:14.186
It's all about
seeing the bright side.
00:14:22.069 --> 00:14:23.737
We're volunteers.
00:14:24.530 --> 00:14:28.868
This turf belongs to my uncle,
he's on the payroll.
00:14:29.451 --> 00:14:32.955
He gave us this job.
00:14:32.955 --> 00:14:35.082
[steps]
00:14:35.082 --> 00:14:54.768
[truck noise,
garbage bags]
00:14:54.935 --> 00:14:59.148
What do you need
to be formally employed, on the payroll?
00:15:00.190 --> 00:15:04.194
You need to know someone
in the local government,
00:15:05.070 --> 00:15:07.656
Someone who can pull strings.
00:15:07.656 --> 00:15:15.080
[truck noise, bell]
00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:19.960
[plane]
00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:27.009
[trucks,
alert sound]
00:15:28.469 --> 00:15:40.606
[airport noise and loudspeaker]
00:15:40.606 --> 00:15:46.195
[airport noise]
00:15:46.195 --> 00:16:05.839
[airport speaker,
water, mirror creaking]
00:16:05.839 --> 00:16:12.096
[airport speaker,
water]
00:16:12.096 --> 00:16:18.394
[paper dispenser]
00:16:18.394 --> 00:16:21.939
[noises, water, indistinct voices]
-Here's
00:16:22.690 --> 00:16:25.985
- Have a paper towel, dear.
- Thanks.
00:16:26.443 --> 00:16:28.737
[noises, speaker, water]
00:16:30.322 --> 00:16:33.701
Cleanliness is not discipline.
It is an expression...
00:16:33.867 --> 00:16:37.037
... of love and respect
for every living thing around us.
00:16:37.037 --> 00:16:41.417
[ambient noise]
00:16:42.042 --> 00:16:43.752
This one was dirty.
00:16:43.752 --> 00:16:49.842
[ambient noise]
00:16:49.842 --> 00:16:52.553
You have to finish
in under 15 minutes.
00:16:54.555 --> 00:16:58.267
They stand there and time you:
"Are you done yet?"
00:16:58.475 --> 00:17:00.519
"Off to another restroom.
Done?"
00:17:00.686 --> 00:17:03.022
"Now do the corridors.
Done?"
00:17:03.188 --> 00:17:05.566
"Now do the filters..."
Jeez!
00:17:05.566 --> 00:17:08.485
[speaker off]
00:17:08.485 --> 00:17:12.573
"Now go and clean
the baggage carousels."
00:17:15.492 --> 00:17:17.453
May I?
00:17:18.078 --> 00:17:24.376
[speaker off]
00:17:24.376 --> 00:17:28.047
[liquid pouring,
brush scrubbing]
00:17:28.047 --> 00:17:30.174
It's a struggle with this.
00:17:32.885 --> 00:17:34.678
I work really fast, as you can see.
00:17:34.678 --> 00:17:38.098
[rubbing rag]
00:17:38.390 --> 00:17:39.475
Now here,
00:17:40.184 --> 00:17:41.018
here...
00:17:41.477 --> 00:17:45.773
[rubbing rag]
00:17:45.773 --> 00:17:46.732
Time to wash.
00:17:47.191 --> 00:17:53.322
[mopping, whistling]
00:17:53.322 --> 00:17:54.114
Come on in,
00:17:55.282 --> 00:17:56.825
the restroom's clean.
00:17:56.825 --> 00:18:02.456
[speaker off, footsteps]
00:18:02.623 --> 00:18:03.874
Go ahead, dear.
00:18:04.583 --> 00:18:06.710
Come in, the restroom's clean.
00:18:07.252 --> 00:18:08.504
Go ahead.
00:18:09.421 --> 00:18:11.507
This one is empty.
00:18:12.007 --> 00:18:13.634
[ambient noise]
00:18:13.926 --> 00:18:15.719
This lady seems to like this toilet.
00:18:17.346 --> 00:18:20.474
My name is
Martha Aurora Domínguez Salas.
00:18:21.975 --> 00:18:24.103
I'm 58 years old.
00:18:24.812 --> 00:18:28.190
And I'm working here,
in Mexico City,
00:18:29.108 --> 00:18:33.070
in Benito Juárez International Airport.
00:18:33.695 --> 00:18:36.198
My name is Aurea Salgado Galicia,
00:18:36.615 --> 00:18:39.409
and I'm a cleaner
at the airport.
00:18:40.369 --> 00:18:43.539
When you were hired,
did you sign a contract?
00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:46.458
No, we don't have
a work contract.
00:18:47.042 --> 00:18:48.794
No, if we had a contract...
00:18:48.961 --> 00:18:51.588
... it would cover
one, two, or three months.
00:18:51.964 --> 00:18:54.758
They tell us
not to miss work.
00:18:55.092 --> 00:18:57.469
If we do,
they dock our pay.
00:18:57.886 --> 00:19:00.639
They dock $30 US
for missing a single day,
00:19:00.806 --> 00:19:02.224
but they pay us so little.
00:19:02.391 --> 00:19:04.101
How much are you paid?
00:19:04.268 --> 00:19:06.687
$100 US for two weeks' work.
00:19:07.312 --> 00:19:08.647
Cleaning materials?
00:19:09.022 --> 00:19:11.900
Sometimes there's enough,
sometimes there isn't.
00:19:12.693 --> 00:19:14.570
They give us very little soap,
00:19:14.778 --> 00:19:18.157
No, not soap.
They give us...
00:19:18.448 --> 00:19:21.577
... freshener, cleaner, and bleach.
00:19:22.244 --> 00:19:23.912
But it's such a small amount!
00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:26.206
The bleach is watered down,
00:19:26.999 --> 00:19:28.792
and so, the thing is...
00:19:29.293 --> 00:19:33.922
In the dining area it's not so bad,
but what about the restrooms?
00:19:34.214 --> 00:19:37.926
- What if you use those products?
- They have no scent!
00:19:38.677 --> 00:19:43.098
And when the bleach dries,
it smells of feet!
00:19:43.223 --> 00:19:45.100
[laughs]
00:19:45.142 --> 00:19:48.645
As if hundreds of feet
had walked through there.
00:19:50.606 --> 00:19:54.818
What do you have to do
to get better...
00:19:54.985 --> 00:19:56.486
Better quality?
00:19:56.653 --> 00:19:58.822
We have to buy
our own products.
00:19:59.406 --> 00:20:15.464
[soaking slang, water,
ominous music]
00:20:15.464 --> 00:20:33.315
[ominous music, mopping]
00:20:33.315 --> 00:20:36.151
[door opening, music]
00:20:36.151 --> 00:20:37.653
All done.
00:20:37.653 --> 00:20:41.240
[door closing, music]
00:20:41.448 --> 00:20:46.161
[steps]
00:20:49.081 --> 00:20:50.374
My name's Claudia.
00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.585
I'm 36...
00:20:53.752 --> 00:20:55.045
I'm about to turn 36,
00:20:55.212 --> 00:20:56.630
I'm 35 now.
00:20:57.506 --> 00:21:00.717
And I live in Los Reyes.
00:21:02.552 --> 00:21:05.555
- Where do you work?
- In the Metro system.
00:21:07.182 --> 00:21:09.810
We're not allowed
to talk about our jobs...
00:21:09.977 --> 00:21:13.313
... because we suffer
all kinds of abuse.
00:21:13.814 --> 00:21:14.398
So...
00:21:15.023 --> 00:21:18.360
... they are afraid
of being exposed.
00:21:18.694 --> 00:21:22.030
Many people are too frightened
to speak up,
00:21:22.197 --> 00:21:25.534
to say:
"I'm being mistreated, harassed,
00:21:25.701 --> 00:21:27.160
I'm being abused,"
00:21:27.452 --> 00:21:29.663
so they think:
"I can abuse them."
00:21:29.663 --> 00:21:46.847
[subway moving
and street noise]
00:21:47.014 --> 00:21:49.808
I used to take photos,
to get some evidence
00:21:50.017 --> 00:21:51.560
of what was happening.
00:21:51.893 --> 00:21:53.603
One of my bosses said
00:21:55.063 --> 00:21:57.816
I couldn't take pictures,
videos, or anything.
00:21:58.066 --> 00:22:01.278
He made me erase them,
because it was "a crime."
00:22:07.075 --> 00:22:11.621
What would happen to you if the Metro
authorities and the contracting firms,
00:22:11.747 --> 00:22:14.249
found out you were talking about this?
00:22:14.583 --> 00:22:15.625
They'd fire me.
00:22:15.625 --> 00:22:25.719
[subway noise]
00:22:27.637 --> 00:22:28.513
Action!
00:22:29.848 --> 00:22:41.026
[footsteps, door opening and closing]
00:22:42.152 --> 00:22:44.154
- Hi, how are you?
- Fine, thanks.
00:22:44.321 --> 00:22:47.866
This casting call is because
I'm making a documentary about...
00:22:47.908 --> 00:22:50.243
... women who clean
public spaces.
00:22:50.577 --> 00:22:52.704
But some of them cannot talk
in front of a camera.
00:22:52.704 --> 00:22:53.455
because they will get fired.
00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:57.459
So we are going to
work with actresses.
00:22:58.835 --> 00:23:01.505
And we'll start
with Claudia's interview.
00:23:02.381 --> 00:23:03.507
Okay.
00:23:03.965 --> 00:23:05.550
My name's Claudia.
00:23:06.093 --> 00:23:09.763
I'm 35 years old
and I'm from Mexico City.
00:23:10.263 --> 00:23:13.809
I work in the Metro system.
00:23:15.560 --> 00:23:19.231
When I applied, I thought
I'd be working for the Metro system,
00:23:19.398 --> 00:23:22.484
I'd have a uniform,
all the benefits,
00:23:24.236 --> 00:23:27.406
because I'd be a Metro employee,
a government employee.
00:23:27.572 --> 00:23:30.784
Is it the Metro system
or another company?
00:23:30.992 --> 00:23:33.078
It's a subcontractor
for the Metro system.
00:23:33.245 --> 00:23:35.789
Yes,
we work in the Metro system,
00:23:35.956 --> 00:23:38.875
but we're employed
by another company.
00:23:39.209 --> 00:23:41.336
I only found out later that...
00:23:41.503 --> 00:23:45.799
... we had nothing:
No contract, no benefits.
00:23:46.258 --> 00:23:50.512
They should give us
the supplies we need for work.
00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:56.810
We need gloves, protective gear, face masks,
overalls... they should give us all that.
00:23:57.602 --> 00:24:02.774
Sometimes we have to wear
someone else's uniforms.
00:24:03.358 --> 00:24:05.360
We have to share them,
but...
00:24:06.153 --> 00:24:08.947
... it's disgusting,
because they don't wash them!
00:24:09.197 --> 00:24:13.452
As for my pay check,
I realized it was also complicated.
00:24:13.618 --> 00:24:15.787
At first, we didn't get
the full check.
00:24:15.954 --> 00:24:20.250
Well, I only got as far
as middle school, so...
00:24:21.585 --> 00:24:24.713
... cleaning jobs
are all I can get.
00:24:25.797 --> 00:25:13.803
[music, footsteps, street
noise,
indistinct voices]
00:25:13.803 --> 00:25:35.116
[ominous music]
00:25:35.116 --> 00:25:40.997
[ominous music, pouring liquid]
00:25:40.997 --> 00:25:43.458
[ominous music, footsteps]
00:25:44.334 --> 00:25:45.502
What they often do,
00:25:45.669 --> 00:25:49.839
or at least what happened to me
is that they did give me material,
00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:51.007
[subway noise]
00:25:51.007 --> 00:25:52.968
but it was terrible quality.
00:25:52.968 --> 00:25:56.388
[subway noise, footsteps]
00:25:56.471 --> 00:25:58.014
I didn't check it,
00:25:58.431 --> 00:26:02.310
I trusted them to give me
decent material to work with.
00:26:02.310 --> 00:26:06.648
indistinct voices]
00:26:06.690 --> 00:26:10.360
One day, one of the bosses
started yelling at me:
00:26:12.571 --> 00:26:15.490
Why did the subway car
smell so bad?
00:26:15.991 --> 00:26:17.867
"I wash the mop
all the time!" I said
00:26:18.034 --> 00:26:20.954
"I use bleach, why does the mop
smell so bad?"
00:26:22.330 --> 00:26:27.711
Then I sniffed the bottle,
and the product they'd given me smelled bad.
00:26:30.130 --> 00:26:32.549
The products they use
are really cheap.
00:26:33.049 --> 00:26:34.426
They burn your hands.
00:26:35.552 --> 00:26:40.056
[cleaning, footsteps, indistinct voices]
00:26:40.056 --> 00:26:42.017
My fingerprints were fading.
00:26:42.017 --> 00:26:43.935
[long-haired man cleaning]
00:26:43.935 --> 00:26:46.605
Whenever my prints were needed
for some procedure,
00:26:46.771 --> 00:26:49.149
they'd say:
"We're not getting them."
00:26:49.357 --> 00:26:52.027
I had to stop using
those products.
00:26:52.027 --> 00:27:01.453
[subway noise, footsteps,
indistinct voices]
00:27:01.578 --> 00:27:03.246
[rag scrubbing]
00:27:03.246 --> 00:27:06.583
They inspect each area,
and if it isn't clean,
00:27:06.916 --> 00:27:10.795
then they blame you,
instead of taking responsibility...
00:27:11.087 --> 00:27:15.091
... for not providing
the supplies needed for the job.
00:27:16.801 --> 00:27:19.095
We always stand to lose.
00:27:19.929 --> 00:27:23.933
How can we defend ourselves
against a company that sees us...
00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:27.354
It sounds terrible,
but they see us as garbage.
00:27:27.354 --> 00:27:35.320
[long-haired man cleaning]
00:27:35.320 --> 00:27:45.163
[doors opening, footsteps,
indistinct
voices]
00:27:45.330 --> 00:27:50.085
A coworker had $35 US of her pay docked.
She'd done nothing wrong.
00:27:50.251 --> 00:27:51.211
And her partner too.
00:27:51.628 --> 00:27:53.505
[subway door closing]
00:27:53.755 --> 00:27:59.427
They just said "if you didn't get the money,
don't bother complaining, you won't get it back."
00:27:59.427 --> 00:28:04.015
[subway noise, indistinct voices]
00:28:04.015 --> 00:28:05.975
[music, broom sweeping]
00:28:05.975 --> 00:28:11.064
When the boss doesn't let us off until 10:30,
I´ll end up paying double transportation.
00:28:11.356 --> 00:28:15.443
They say that by contract
our shift ends at 10:30.
00:28:15.735 --> 00:28:17.445
But we don't have a contract!
00:28:17.612 --> 00:28:22.575
How can they hold us
to a contract we never signed?
00:28:22.575 --> 00:28:36.005
[subway moving forward]
00:28:36.005 --> 00:28:39.509
Now a report from Ramon Ramírez.
Ramon, you're at a protest.
00:28:39.968 --> 00:28:42.053
Can you tell us what's happening?
00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:48.059
Good morning, Lily. How would you cope
if you weren't paid for at least a month?
00:28:48.393 --> 00:28:53.022
How would you get by?
Pay for food and other living expenses?
00:28:53.189 --> 00:28:57.610
We believe that your employer is a subcontractor,
not the Metro system, right?
00:28:57.777 --> 00:29:00.029
Have you spoken to the company?
00:29:00.196 --> 00:29:04.826
They claim not to know anything,
they don't accept any responsibility.
00:29:04.993 --> 00:29:06.786
That's why we're protesting.
00:29:06.953 --> 00:29:12.250
Last week you blocked traffic at Congreso Ave.
and the Metro issued a statement,
00:29:12.417 --> 00:29:16.171
pledging to address your case
with the company. Has that happened?
00:29:16.337 --> 00:29:18.840
Of course that's not true.
It's all lies.
00:29:19.007 --> 00:29:20.133
What's next, Gabriela?
00:29:20.300 --> 00:29:24.721
We want a labor contract
so that they are bound by the law...
00:29:25.013 --> 00:29:30.351
... which says that there can be no workers
without a contract.
00:29:30.518 --> 00:29:37.734
We are entitled to paid leave, to have our seniority
respected, but whenever a new firm arrives...
00:29:37.901 --> 00:29:39.652
... they fire us all.
00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:44.657
- Will you stay here?
- If necessary, we'll march on the Zocalo Square
00:29:46.826 --> 00:29:49.037
We hadn't been paid
for over two months.
00:29:49.204 --> 00:29:51.623
And our coworkers
who went to the protest,
00:29:51.873 --> 00:29:53.917
to demand our back pay...
00:29:54.167 --> 00:29:57.253
It was two months without pay,
expenses, or anything!
00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:59.214
We have to make a living!
00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:03.760
Everyone who appeared on camera...
00:30:04.636 --> 00:30:06.304
... was fired.
00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:16.689
[airplane noise]
00:30:16.856 --> 00:30:19.901
The company left without warning
00:30:20.902 --> 00:30:24.531
They didn't pay us severance,
paid leave... nothing.
00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:30.328
[street noise]
00:30:30.495 --> 00:30:32.330
- Morning, boss.
- Morning.
00:30:32.413 --> 00:30:38.545
[airplane noise]
00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:41.214
You know I told all the girls, right?
00:30:41.381 --> 00:30:43.550
They didn't come...
Not even Betty.
00:30:43.842 --> 00:30:45.844
- I see, give me a moment.
- Okay.
00:30:46.344 --> 00:30:49.472
If I do anything wrong...
I don't want to lose my job.
00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:51.266
No, of course not.
00:30:51.432 --> 00:30:53.393
That why I don't want to...
00:30:53.560 --> 00:30:57.522
- I'd be happy to help, but I just started
- Oh, okay.
00:30:57.814 --> 00:31:01.901
- Yes, I'm sorry.
- Don't you worry. It's alright.
00:31:02.735 --> 00:31:04.487
I have to go.
Enjoy your snack.
00:31:04.654 --> 00:31:06.030
- Thanks.
- Excuse me.
00:31:06.197 --> 00:31:07.699
- Take care.
- Thanks.
00:31:07.866 --> 00:31:10.743
Yes, your time's up.
You take care.
00:31:10.743 --> 00:31:17.166
[airplane noise]
00:31:17.792 --> 00:31:23.089
- So they stole money from you?
- Yes, they left without paying us.
00:31:23.798 --> 00:31:26.175
We made a huge fuss.
00:31:26.968 --> 00:31:30.305
Then I said:
"Look here girls..."
00:31:30.889 --> 00:31:34.601
"Pray to God,
all of you pray to God..."
00:31:34.893 --> 00:31:39.647
"... that there aren't any windows
where we're going, because I'll break them all."
00:31:39.814 --> 00:31:43.818
"I don't care what happens,
if the glass cuts me, nothing."
00:31:44.152 --> 00:31:48.031
I'll grab them
and kick them out!
00:31:48.698 --> 00:31:51.242
"- Help! Stop it!
- Stand here!"
00:31:51.743 --> 00:31:54.537
"Now tell us
if you're going to pay up or not!"
00:31:54.704 --> 00:31:58.207
"Come on! Let's block all traffic
on Tlalpan Avenue!"
00:31:58.374 --> 00:32:02.170
"Let's block Tlalpan
and not let a single car through!"
00:32:02.337 --> 00:32:04.756
"Aurora, you're a tough one!"
Yes, I am!
00:32:04.923 --> 00:32:07.216
Yes, I am.
Don't mess with me!
00:32:08.509 --> 00:32:13.348
Well, here's the thing:
we're not unionized.
00:32:14.474 --> 00:32:18.937
If we had a union,
the companies...
00:32:20.271 --> 00:32:23.566
... and even the government,
wouldn't treat us like that.
00:32:24.525 --> 00:32:27.111
We're told
that's what we have to do:
00:32:27.278 --> 00:32:29.489
Form a movement...
00:32:30.281 --> 00:32:31.616
... do it yourselves.
00:32:32.825 --> 00:32:34.827
But I say, sure,
00:32:35.119 --> 00:32:38.289
that's all well and good,
but as soon as you...
00:32:38.456 --> 00:32:41.542
... organize a movement like that,
00:32:41.918 --> 00:32:43.586
we can be targeted in attacks.
00:32:43.753 --> 00:32:46.422
Who knows if I'm right or wrong
about that.
00:32:46.881 --> 00:32:50.677
You know that union leaders
have been shot and killed.
00:32:51.511 --> 00:32:54.389
Because the company
doesn't want a union.
00:32:54.889 --> 00:32:57.100
Isn't that true?
00:32:57.100 --> 00:33:21.624
[ominous music]
00:33:22.041 --> 00:33:24.377
- Good morning!
- Good morning, Grandma!
00:33:24.377 --> 00:33:33.678
[ominous music, indistinct voices, water]
00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:38.391
Hello, good morning.
Good morning.
00:33:38.391 --> 00:33:40.685
[water]
00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:44.689
Quick question:
Do you know Mr. Oscar?
00:33:45.023 --> 00:33:49.027
- He's the deputy director of Urban Services.
- Yeah, sure.
00:33:49.402 --> 00:33:53.614
We've tried to contact him,
but we can't get through.
00:33:53.906 --> 00:33:56.451
I'm sorry,
I don't have his number!
00:33:57.493 --> 00:34:01.372
Another question: The man
who's in charge of everyone...
00:34:02.582 --> 00:34:05.626
... is there any way
to contact him now?
00:34:05.793 --> 00:34:09.380
- Who do you mean?
- The man in the offices or somewhere...
00:34:09.547 --> 00:34:13.217
- In the government, or our company?
- In the company.
00:34:13.384 --> 00:34:15.053
No, they start at 9 am.
00:34:15.219 --> 00:34:16.512
A bit later, then.
00:34:17.388 --> 00:34:21.684
But you've got his number.
Could I have it, please?
00:34:21.976 --> 00:34:27.690
He'll give us the number
of the man I need to talk to.
00:34:28.524 --> 00:34:33.446
- Good morning.
- I'm Mrs. Rosalba. They call me 'Grandma'
00:34:33.613 --> 00:34:37.909
Could I borrow a few minutes
of your valuable time?
00:34:38.076 --> 00:34:40.661
I'm sorry to bother you.
00:34:41.287 --> 00:34:45.083
What can I do for you?
Only, I'm driving now.
00:34:45.249 --> 00:34:48.377
Oh, I'm sorry!
Shall I call back later?
00:34:49.504 --> 00:34:52.590
- Could we speak a bit later?
- Of course. I understand.
00:34:52.757 --> 00:34:56.177
- I'm driving, you see.
- I understand, not a problem.
00:34:56.761 --> 00:34:59.889
Of course,
I'll call back a bit later.
00:35:00.348 --> 00:35:04.685
- In about an hour, or half an hour?
- Half an hour should be enough.
00:35:04.852 --> 00:35:08.731
Okay, perfect. Thank you very much
and sorry for bothering you.
00:35:08.731 --> 00:35:12.276
[street noise, birds chirping] What do
you want
00:35:12.276 --> 00:35:14.654
What do you want to ask him?
00:35:14.821 --> 00:35:19.742
I want to ask about
giving me the shift,
00:35:20.243 --> 00:35:22.662
the shift I wanted,
you know?
00:35:23.746 --> 00:35:26.415
Can't you go
and see him in person?
00:35:26.666 --> 00:35:28.793
Sure, but I don't know where.
00:35:28.793 --> 00:35:35.466
[street noise,
birds chirping]
00:35:35.466 --> 00:35:46.727
[street noise, cell phone ringing,
line busy]
00:35:46.727 --> 00:35:50.356
[street noise]
00:35:50.356 --> 00:35:52.108
No answer.
00:35:52.108 --> 00:35:55.153
[street noise, busy phone]
00:35:55.153 --> 00:35:57.488
The call didn't go through, look.
00:35:57.488 --> 00:36:01.075
[water]
00:36:01.075 --> 00:36:21.929
[water, phone ringing]
00:36:21.929 --> 00:36:27.727
- This is the voicemail service...
- He's not answering.
00:36:28.394 --> 00:36:39.238
[organ grinder's music,
indistinct voice]
00:36:39.238 --> 00:36:52.627
[noise of trucks, footsteps,
indistinct voices]
00:36:52.627 --> 00:36:56.422
We appealed to labor arbitration,
00:36:57.757 --> 00:37:01.135
because the case
was just getting bigger and bigger.
00:37:02.094 --> 00:37:04.972
Now they're calling us,
one by one,
00:37:05.139 --> 00:37:08.601
to collect the severance
they owe us.
00:37:09.810 --> 00:37:12.980
They tried to pay me $175 US.
"No way!" I said.
00:37:13.147 --> 00:37:15.650
I want what's owed to me!
00:37:16.484 --> 00:37:17.985
This way, blondie.
00:37:17.985 --> 00:37:19.612
[whistle, car noise]
00:37:19.654 --> 00:37:23.616
- It's straight ahead.
- How many times have you tried to get paid?
00:37:23.783 --> 00:37:26.702
- About four, five times.
- What do they say?
00:37:26.869 --> 00:37:33.668
"Come back on such and such date,
Come back on that date, come back later..."
00:37:33.834 --> 00:37:36.671
They just give me the runaround.
00:37:36.921 --> 00:37:41.634
- How long has this been going on?
- It's been two years already.
00:37:41.634 --> 00:37:43.469
[car noise, horn]
00:37:43.469 --> 00:37:45.054
Hold my hand, Sweetie.
00:37:45.054 --> 00:37:49.058
[car noise, indistinct voices]
00:37:49.976 --> 00:37:52.436
How many of your coworkers
are owed money?
00:37:52.603 --> 00:37:53.646
It's about...
00:37:54.814 --> 00:37:57.858
- ... a hundred.
- About 100 or 200.
00:37:57.858 --> 00:38:00.111
[street noise, siren]
00:38:00.278 --> 00:38:02.738
Hi! Goodbye!
00:38:03.322 --> 00:38:06.242
They also have a tough time,
poor things.
00:38:07.159 --> 00:38:10.496
They're also picking up garbage
and all that,
00:38:10.871 --> 00:38:14.292
and they give them
a hard time, just like us.
00:38:15.584 --> 00:38:19.714
Lots of them have been fired lately,
without any severance.
00:38:19.714 --> 00:38:21.507
[street noise]
00:38:21.674 --> 00:38:23.426
I call you If something comes up.
00:38:23.426 --> 00:38:27.430
[street noise, indistinct voices]
00:38:29.515 --> 00:38:30.891
- Can we go in?
- No.
00:38:31.058 --> 00:38:32.059
Okay then.
00:38:34.228 --> 00:38:40.776
"Mexico City Labor Board"
00:38:40.776 --> 00:38:50.161
[street noise, cars,
indistinct voices]
00:38:50.161 --> 00:38:59.462
[street noise, speaker]
00:38:59.462 --> 00:39:03.257
[street noise, indistinct voices]
00:39:05.760 --> 00:39:07.136
- Thanks, officer.
00:39:08.012 --> 00:39:23.611
[street noise, indistinct voices,
whistle]
00:39:24.028 --> 00:39:25.654
What happened in there?
00:39:26.572 --> 00:39:31.202
"Wait," they said,
"I'll give you another appointment"
00:39:32.703 --> 00:39:35.039
What are you going to do now?
00:39:36.082 --> 00:39:40.252
We'll see how long
we can wait to get paid!
00:39:40.294 --> 00:39:41.754
[laughter]
00:39:41.754 --> 00:39:44.048
And now we've heard that...
00:39:44.965 --> 00:39:47.009
... that the company's leaving.
00:39:47.343 --> 00:39:49.345
How can you tell
that it's changed?
00:39:49.512 --> 00:39:53.391
- Because they change the...
- All they change is the uniform.
00:39:53.557 --> 00:39:56.143
Everything else stays the same.
00:39:56.310 --> 00:40:01.941
Just imagine you're wearing one thing,
and they say "now you'll wear this."
00:40:02.108 --> 00:40:04.026
But you're still working there.
00:40:04.193 --> 00:40:07.029
So the only difference
when the company changes...
00:40:07.196 --> 00:40:09.740
- ... is the uniform?
- Yes, that's right.
00:40:09.740 --> 00:40:13.744
[street noise, indistinct voices]
00:40:17.248 --> 00:40:18.999
About those companies,
00:40:19.333 --> 00:40:27.425
they just change names
to prevent the workforce from earning benefits.
00:40:28.259 --> 00:40:32.096
So the firm that hired you
isn't the same company?
00:40:32.555 --> 00:40:35.891
In theory.
But as the saying goes:
00:40:36.475 --> 00:40:39.437
"It's like same song,
different tune"
00:40:39.770 --> 00:40:43.691
Once I lost my uniform
and I said to the boss,
00:40:44.024 --> 00:40:46.360
"I need a new one,
I'll pay for it."
00:40:46.610 --> 00:40:49.238
"No, we don't sell uniforms here."
00:40:49.780 --> 00:40:51.782
So I went to the flea market,
00:40:52.700 --> 00:40:55.453
and found one
that was exactly the same.
00:40:55.828 --> 00:40:58.122
I had to add the company logo,
00:40:58.664 --> 00:41:01.292
but it was exactly the same.
00:41:02.042 --> 00:41:11.010
[street noise, cars]
00:41:12.052 --> 00:41:13.721
-To eat here?
00:41:14.346 --> 00:41:17.892
I got pork skin, potatoes,
potatoes with pork saussage and beans
00:41:18.267 --> 00:41:26.484
[street noise, indistinct voices ]
00:41:26.775 --> 00:41:30.779
[street noise, ambulance siren]
00:41:32.364 --> 00:41:33.741
You know who's your employer?
00:41:34.033 --> 00:41:35.743
La Cineteca, that is a Public Institution,
00:41:36.076 --> 00:41:37.786
or a private company?
00:41:38.787 --> 00:41:41.123
I just came here,
00:41:42.249 --> 00:41:44.210
and got the job from Mr. Carlitos.
00:41:45.169 --> 00:41:48.339
But to be honest,
I don't know.
00:41:48.339 --> 00:41:51.717
[Steps]
00:41:51.717 --> 00:41:54.011
My name is Juan Carlos Diaz Arias,
00:41:54.178 --> 00:41:56.847
and I'm a supervisor.
00:41:56.847 --> 00:42:06.023
[Footsteps, door opening]
00:42:06.232 --> 00:42:09.401
I want to make sure that people's pay
doesn't get docked,
00:42:09.568 --> 00:42:12.821
because they can dock
a large part of their pay,
00:42:12.988 --> 00:42:14.448
and I want to avoid that.
00:42:14.615 --> 00:42:17.785
[Spray, liquid]
00:42:17.826 --> 00:42:21.789
- Who makes that call?
- Docking pay? The company.
00:42:22.248 --> 00:42:30.881
[brooms sweeping]
00:42:31.215 --> 00:42:33.259
It's all based on the contract.
00:42:33.425 --> 00:42:35.761
The contracts have a one-year duration.
00:42:37.680 --> 00:42:41.725
The main problem with
the change of company? Payment.
00:42:42.977 --> 00:42:49.149
When it's time to pay, they don't pay on time.
I have to keep pushing them.
00:42:49.483 --> 00:42:52.653
I have to pressure them,
demand payment for all of us.
00:42:52.653 --> 00:42:56.031
[broom sweeping]
00:42:56.031 --> 00:42:58.075
That's not my job,
but I do it anyway.
00:42:58.075 --> 00:43:07.001
[broom sweeping]
00:43:07.001 --> 00:43:09.670
I like to be fair to everyone.
00:43:10.045 --> 00:43:14.216
I started at the bottom,
and I don't want to mistreat anyone.
00:43:14.675 --> 00:43:18.637
- What are your work hours?
- I'm here from 7 am to 9 pm.
00:43:19.763 --> 00:43:21.932
But I'm happy here.
00:43:22.099 --> 00:43:23.642
- Every day?
- Yes.
00:43:23.809 --> 00:43:27.146
Except Mondays,
when I leave at 3 or 4 pm.
00:43:28.022 --> 00:44:01.263
[ominous music]
00:44:01.263 --> 00:44:13.817
[ominous music, footsteps]
00:44:13.817 --> 00:44:20.115
[broom sweeping]
00:44:20.282 --> 00:44:21.784
We wear green vests,
00:44:22.576 --> 00:44:27.581
but we don't work for the government,
we're not public employees.
00:44:27.581 --> 00:44:34.254
[broom sweeping]
00:44:34.880 --> 00:44:39.385
You sweep your patch,
but it's dirty again in no time, so...
00:44:39.635 --> 00:44:44.932
... you have to sweep again, or the supervisor
thinks you're not doing your job and tells you off.
00:44:45.015 --> 00:45:02.533
[brooms sweeping,
cars, sirens]
00:45:02.741 --> 00:45:06.995
They want to see you working nonstop.
You can't stop for a rest.
00:45:06.995 --> 00:45:15.587
[brooms sweeping,
indistinct voices]
00:45:15.587 --> 00:45:19.508
You need to be very careful,
the cars are really close.
00:45:20.592 --> 00:45:23.220
I know that some workers
have been run over.
00:45:24.179 --> 00:45:25.848
I know that happens.
00:45:25.848 --> 00:45:29.017
[car noise]
00:45:29.017 --> 00:45:32.563
What if someone is run over?
Who takes care of you?
00:45:33.647 --> 00:45:34.732
No one.
00:45:35.607 --> 00:45:37.192
No one cares about us.
00:45:37.192 --> 00:45:48.579
[broom sweeping,
cars, indistinct voices]
00:45:48.579 --> 00:45:58.630
[cars, indistinct voices]
00:45:58.630 --> 00:46:20.068
[laughter, indistinct voices,
whistles]
00:46:21.862 --> 00:46:26.033
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you
00:46:27.785 --> 00:46:41.048
[laughter, indistinct voices]
00:46:41.048 --> 00:46:43.258
Can you give us a piece?
00:46:44.426 --> 00:46:55.062
[broom tapping, cars,
indistinct voices]
00:46:56.438 --> 00:47:01.610
[cars, indistinct voices]
00:47:02.569 --> 00:47:05.364
They step on you,
they see you as insignificant,
00:47:05.531 --> 00:47:08.075
because you're not...
00:47:08.242 --> 00:47:09.451
... essential.
00:47:09.785 --> 00:47:14.665
I think that people
see us as objects.
00:47:15.499 --> 00:47:18.168
We're just part of the Metro,
00:47:18.710 --> 00:47:22.923
Just like the seats
they write on,
00:47:23.632 --> 00:47:25.759
they see us
as just another object.
00:47:25.801 --> 00:47:29.763
[street noise, footsteps]
00:47:29.805 --> 00:47:34.226
Passengers can take things
to such an extreme that you have to ask,
00:47:34.518 --> 00:47:36.228
would they do that at home?
00:47:37.896 --> 00:47:43.026
They tell you to get out of their way,
why are you working there...
00:47:43.318 --> 00:47:46.738
Or, "that's your job,
that's what you're paid to do."
00:47:46.905 --> 00:47:49.825
"That's what I paid
a 30-cent ticket for."
00:47:50.409 --> 00:47:52.995
One regular passenger
used to ask:
00:47:53.412 --> 00:47:57.082
"How come these idiots
don't put trash cans or bags...
00:47:57.249 --> 00:47:59.877
... for people to throw their trash?"
00:48:00.168 --> 00:48:03.881
"Excuse me," I said, "let me explain
why we can't do that."
00:48:04.089 --> 00:48:06.091
"First: people steal
the trash cans."
00:48:06.383 --> 00:48:10.345
"And second, if we leave bags,
people bring their trash from home...
00:48:10.679 --> 00:48:13.807
... and leave it in our bags."
00:48:14.099 --> 00:48:17.269
They use the Metro
as an underground garbage dump.
00:48:17.352 --> 00:48:21.523
[subway noise]
00:48:21.815 --> 00:48:26.820
In the cars we've even found
uncovered hypodermic needles.
00:48:27.404 --> 00:48:30.073
That's also a health risk for us.
00:48:30.073 --> 00:48:37.080
[subway moving forward]
00:48:37.080 --> 00:48:43.337
[subway stopping]
00:48:45.964 --> 00:49:01.229
[people getting off,
indistinct voices]
00:49:01.229 --> 00:49:10.322
[street noise, cars,
indistinct voices]
00:49:10.530 --> 00:49:13.867
Can you wait 5 minutes?
I need to get some bags.
00:49:13.867 --> 00:49:19.915
[street noise,
indistinct voices]
00:49:19.915 --> 00:49:21.833
Some people are very kind.
00:49:22.000 --> 00:49:24.252
They even give me some fruit...
00:49:24.628 --> 00:49:27.714
Bus drivers sometimes give me
a bottle of water,
00:49:28.340 --> 00:49:29.549
a soft drink,
00:49:30.676 --> 00:49:31.927
whatever.
00:49:37.224 --> 00:49:41.728
But I've also been called names
many times: "You filthy Indian."
00:49:41.979 --> 00:49:45.148
They call me this or that,
"dirt bag," who knows...
00:49:45.315 --> 00:49:50.487
They attack us
in a discriminatory manner.
00:49:50.487 --> 00:49:57.285
[street noise,
indistinct voices]
00:49:57.285 --> 00:49:59.955
As I said to someone
who called me names,
00:50:00.288 --> 00:50:03.417
"You know what?
Shut your mouth."
00:50:04.126 --> 00:50:07.796
"You'd better hold your tongue.
Don't say a word."
00:50:09.047 --> 00:50:10.716
"You don't know me."
00:50:11.800 --> 00:50:15.178
"But I may be
more humane than you."
00:50:15.178 --> 00:50:25.939
[street noise, cars,
indistinct voices]
00:50:25.939 --> 00:50:51.923
[street noise, broom sweeping, indistinct
voices]
00:50:51.923 --> 00:50:54.634
My coworkers have been robbed,
beaten,
00:50:54.926 --> 00:50:58.013
they've had their phones,
their money stolen.
00:50:58.180 --> 00:51:03.602
Rapists have even targeted
some friends and coworkers.
00:51:04.144 --> 00:51:09.024
They can get dragged off the street
into dark alleyways.
00:51:13.987 --> 00:51:17.491
Yes, we face risks, right?
00:51:18.408 --> 00:51:22.412
But we need the job
and the paycheck.
00:51:22.746 --> 00:51:24.456
We have to face the risks.
00:51:24.456 --> 00:51:38.470
[street noise,
indistinct voices]
00:51:38.804 --> 00:51:40.430
Excuse me, please.
00:51:42.307 --> 00:51:43.725
Excuse me.
00:51:43.725 --> 00:51:51.775
[street noise,
indistinct voices]
00:51:52.567 --> 00:51:54.402
Excuse me, please.
00:51:54.402 --> 00:51:59.699
[street noise, indistinct voices]
00:51:59.699 --> 00:52:00.659
Excuse me.
00:52:01.535 --> 00:52:03.745
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
00:52:03.745 --> 00:52:15.423
[street noise, cars
indistinct voices]
00:52:15.423 --> 00:53:08.476
[ominous music]
00:53:08.476 --> 00:53:20.989
[ominous music,
indistinct voices]
00:53:20.989 --> 00:53:46.473
[ominous music]
00:53:46.848 --> 00:53:48.391
I had five children,
00:53:49.517 --> 00:53:51.436
and I lost my partner.
00:53:52.812 --> 00:53:54.522
My husband passed away.
00:53:55.565 --> 00:53:58.318
Then I had to raise those kids.
00:53:59.194 --> 00:54:01.655
That's when I found a way...
00:54:02.239 --> 00:54:04.324
... to start working
as a street sweeper.
00:54:05.283 --> 00:54:08.328
Many women have made a living
as sweepers.
00:54:09.579 --> 00:54:13.583
I gather plastic bottles,
whatever cans I find.
00:54:13.959 --> 00:54:18.880
They fetch a good price now:
up to 90 cents for the bottles,
00:54:19.589 --> 00:54:21.841
and drink cans
go for $2.35.
00:54:23.510 --> 00:54:26.388
So you've gathered
all these bottles and assorted items.
00:54:26.763 --> 00:54:29.182
That table,
that piece of iron...
00:54:30.475 --> 00:54:31.851
... this wire,
00:54:32.310 --> 00:54:34.896
That chain...
I've got a thick chain.
00:54:35.063 --> 00:54:38.233
Up there I have
some bags of scrap iron.
00:54:38.525 --> 00:54:39.818
All things I've found.
00:54:40.735 --> 00:54:46.950
[breaking and
cooking an egg]
00:54:46.950 --> 00:54:48.451
So, today's your day off, right?
00:54:48.535 --> 00:54:52.163
Yes, everyone on the afternoon shift
gets Sundays off.
00:54:52.872 --> 00:54:53.707
What do you do?
00:54:53.957 --> 00:54:55.542
Sometimes I do laundry,
00:54:56.042 --> 00:55:00.714
there's always something to do,
but in the evening I get some rest.
00:55:01.548 --> 00:55:06.428
Earlier I go out shopping,
buy some food...
00:55:07.679 --> 00:55:15.520
[pigeons]
00:55:15.520 --> 00:55:18.356
Oh, I also feed my pigeons!
00:55:19.441 --> 00:55:21.151
They also need feeding,
00:55:22.527 --> 00:55:23.778
I give them water.
00:55:24.112 --> 00:55:25.405
I wash them, too.
00:55:26.740 --> 00:55:29.576
Have you seen them?
They're two pigeons.
00:55:29.826 --> 00:55:31.911
[pigeons, gate opening]
00:55:32.996 --> 00:55:35.081
This one's not fond of water.
00:55:35.623 --> 00:55:40.462
[pigeons, water]
00:55:40.670 --> 00:55:43.548
The other one does like
being washed.
00:55:43.548 --> 00:55:46.468
[water]
00:55:48.428 --> 00:55:50.930
Later, I occasionally have dinner.
00:55:51.431 --> 00:55:55.393
If I had a big lunch I skip dinner,
maybe just a cup of coffee or atole.
00:55:56.686 --> 00:56:00.899
Then I chat with my sons,
one or the other always calls me.
00:56:01.149 --> 00:56:05.111
They tell me what they dreamed,
where they've been...
00:56:05.487 --> 00:56:10.200
I tell them I'm so tired
I can't remember my dreams.
00:56:10.367 --> 00:56:12.369
I do have dreams,
but I forget them.
00:56:12.369 --> 00:56:21.419
[ominous music,
plastic bag]
00:56:21.836 --> 00:56:27.008
"SLAUGTHERS"
00:56:27.008 --> 00:56:34.808
[ominous music]
00:56:34.808 --> 00:56:43.400
[ominous music,
birds chirping]
00:56:43.400 --> 00:56:46.736
[ominous music, footsteps, barking]
00:56:46.736 --> 00:56:51.116
[planes, footsteps, barking]
00:56:51.449 --> 00:56:52.867
Careful with the cars.
00:56:52.867 --> 00:56:55.161
[street noise]
00:56:55.912 --> 00:56:56.746
Heel!
00:56:56.913 --> 00:56:58.790
[street noise, dog panting]
00:56:59.499 --> 00:57:00.417
That's right.
00:57:00.667 --> 00:57:02.919
Now you're on film, dear!
00:57:06.840 --> 00:57:09.968
You'll travel
all over the place!
00:57:09.968 --> 00:57:10.844
[laughter]
00:57:10.844 --> 00:57:15.682
[street noise, indistinct voices, footsteps]
00:57:19.561 --> 00:57:21.146
Okay, okay.
00:57:21.312 --> 00:57:22.522
Let's run.
00:57:23.064 --> 00:57:24.107
Hurry up.
00:57:24.107 --> 00:57:26.151
[street noise, indistinct voices]
00:57:26.443 --> 00:57:27.277
Okay.
00:57:27.277 --> 00:57:37.370
[street noise, keys,
barking, door opening]
00:57:37.912 --> 00:57:39.664
Welcome to my humble home.
00:57:39.747 --> 00:57:44.335
[broom sweeping]
00:57:44.627 --> 00:57:47.088
I do this every day
before leaving.
00:57:47.255 --> 00:57:52.302
I sweep and clean up,
so I can go to work without any worries.
00:57:52.302 --> 00:57:56.306
[broom sweeping, dog panting]
00:57:57.640 --> 00:58:01.352
Machi, can you excuse me,
please sweetie?
00:58:04.022 --> 00:58:05.356
Come on, get up.
00:58:05.356 --> 00:58:06.858
[broom sweeping]
00:58:06.858 --> 00:58:09.360
No?
Don't be lazy!
00:58:09.360 --> 00:58:10.862
[dog squeals]
00:58:11.237 --> 00:58:14.532
That's why I told you
not to go!
00:58:16.159 --> 00:58:18.495
Now you're exhausted!
00:58:19.370 --> 00:58:21.414
My brother's busy working,
00:58:22.790 --> 00:58:24.709
my kids don't live here...
00:58:25.126 --> 00:58:27.504
Sometimes I visit my daughter.
00:58:30.215 --> 00:58:33.384
- What about your sister?
- She's locked in there.
00:58:33.551 --> 00:58:35.887
- Why?
- She's not well.
00:58:40.391 --> 00:58:43.019
She's not well
in her head.
00:58:44.395 --> 00:58:47.565
That's why I let her sleep in,
and I try to keep quiet.
00:58:48.107 --> 00:58:50.944
- Who looks after her?
- I do.
00:58:51.110 --> 00:58:54.155
In the afternoons
she's here on her own.
00:58:54.531 --> 00:58:58.284
I worry that she may
turn on the gas or something...
00:58:59.327 --> 00:59:01.246
... but I leave her here.
00:59:01.788 --> 00:59:08.545
[crokery clattering]
00:59:08.920 --> 00:59:10.922
That should do it.
00:59:13.258 --> 00:59:16.844
My neighbors include
two secretaries,
00:59:17.679 --> 00:59:19.138
a teacher,
00:59:21.391 --> 00:59:24.561
upstairs there's
a white-collar professional,
00:59:25.311 --> 00:59:28.314
a man who fixes
washing machines...
00:59:29.899 --> 00:59:32.860
Then there's me:
a Mopping Engineer!
00:59:32.860 --> 00:59:35.071
[laughter]
00:59:35.905 --> 00:59:37.448
You've got to laugh.
00:59:38.908 --> 00:59:40.410
My mom.
00:59:43.496 --> 00:59:44.956
She was my mom.
00:59:47.000 --> 00:59:49.294
She passed away
eight years ago.
00:59:50.670 --> 00:59:52.672
- Do you miss her?
- Yes.
00:59:54.424 --> 00:59:59.137
- How did you get along with her?
- Very well, she loved me a lot.
01:00:00.013 --> 01:00:03.433
[broom sweeping]
01:00:06.019 --> 01:00:09.606
- What about your husband?
- He's not in Mexico.
01:00:10.648 --> 01:00:15.236
He'll come soon,
for our silver wedding anniversary.
01:00:15.445 --> 01:00:17.155
Twenty-five years...
01:00:17.864 --> 01:00:20.533
I met him at the airport.
01:00:22.035 --> 01:00:26.581
If that airport could talk...
I met him there.
01:00:26.998 --> 01:00:30.585
He was my boss,
he taught me how to clean glass,
01:00:31.419 --> 01:00:35.214
he taught me
how to sweep and clean floors,
01:00:36.215 --> 01:00:40.345
he taught me how to clean restrooms,
that's why I'm good at it.
01:00:40.845 --> 01:00:44.515
The nicest thing was that
when I was pregnant,
01:00:45.391 --> 01:00:46.476
he left.
01:00:47.977 --> 01:00:51.439
But he left
after my daughter was born.
01:00:51.731 --> 01:00:53.858
She was a newborn
when he left.
01:00:54.025 --> 01:00:57.111
And he came back for me
10 years later.
01:00:57.904 --> 01:01:02.283
Ten years after I had my baby,
as we were celebrating her 10th birthday,
01:01:02.450 --> 01:01:04.035
he came back for me.
01:01:04.202 --> 01:01:07.830
- Why did he leave?
- He went to work in Los Angeles.
01:01:07.997 --> 01:01:11.668
He said: "I want
to build a house for you."
01:01:11.834 --> 01:01:16.381
It was also lovely
when our granddaughter was born.
01:01:16.589 --> 01:01:21.386
Isn't that lovely? He met
his granddaughter and then left again,
01:01:21.594 --> 01:01:23.554
back to Los Angeles.
01:01:23.971 --> 01:01:26.182
He still had things to do there.
01:01:27.016 --> 01:01:30.061
And now, very soon,
I'm not sure when...
01:01:30.228 --> 01:01:32.438
... but he'll come
very soon!
01:01:33.272 --> 01:01:35.066
I want him here!
01:01:36.067 --> 01:01:39.112
He said
it's our silver wedding anniversary.
01:01:40.321 --> 01:01:41.781
Married for 25 years.
01:01:43.950 --> 01:01:46.703
Will they let you
take that day off?
01:01:47.286 --> 01:01:48.496
Yes, it's a Thursday!
01:01:52.125 --> 01:01:54.460
You see?
He chose a nice day.
01:02:07.515 --> 01:02:20.737
[subway moving forward]
01:02:20.737 --> 01:02:40.631
[ominous music]
01:02:40.631 --> 01:02:51.768
[ominous music,
escalators]
01:02:51.768 --> 01:03:02.779
[subway noise, music,
indistinct voices]
01:03:02.779 --> 01:03:04.530
They're all your bosses.
01:03:05.114 --> 01:03:09.243
You don't know who to talk to, because
they all boss you around, yell at you.
01:03:09.702 --> 01:03:11.829
When they are men...
01:03:11.996 --> 01:03:14.874
... they start giving orders,
bossing you around,
01:03:15.416 --> 01:03:17.585
and whatever they say, goes.
01:03:18.294 --> 01:03:23.966
It's harder for a woman,
whether she's a boss or a cleaner.
01:03:24.425 --> 01:03:27.094
A woman boss has to be
really forceful
01:03:27.261 --> 01:03:30.932
and put her foot down
to get people to do what she says.
01:03:30.932 --> 01:03:36.938
[subway noise]
01:03:37.230 --> 01:03:41.776
As soon as you get here,
you face harassment,
01:03:44.654 --> 01:03:47.323
from the foremen
and from the bosses.
01:03:47.323 --> 01:03:56.207
[subway noise]
01:03:56.415 --> 01:04:00.628
Even if you have a partner,
they still won't leave you alone.
01:04:01.254 --> 01:04:02.672
If you say no...
01:04:03.214 --> 01:04:06.259
... they pressure you
until you're fired.
01:04:07.009 --> 01:04:08.511
That's what happened to me.
01:04:08.845 --> 01:04:12.515
Our foreman was a married man,
01:04:12.849 --> 01:04:17.311
and whenever a new girl arrived,
he had his way with her.
01:04:18.479 --> 01:04:19.939
But I said no.
01:04:20.481 --> 01:04:22.066
So he increased my workload.
01:04:22.525 --> 01:04:25.278
A coworker on the morning shift
told me so:
01:04:25.444 --> 01:04:28.072
"They're going to increase
your workload,
01:04:28.239 --> 01:04:30.074
to force you to resign."
01:04:30.074 --> 01:04:44.338
[subway noise]
01:04:44.338 --> 01:04:47.925
[thunderous noise]
01:04:47.925 --> 01:04:49.886
My girlfriends
look out for me!
01:04:50.177 --> 01:04:51.554
The police don't look after me!
01:04:52.138 --> 01:04:53.931
My girlfriends
look out for me!
01:04:53.931 --> 01:04:58.185
[loud noise of demonstration]
01:04:58.185 --> 01:05:03.900
Abortion is my decision!
01:05:04.984 --> 01:05:09.196
We are not 1, we are not 100,
fucking goverment count us well
01:05:12.867 --> 01:05:16.329
For those who join us from heaven
01:05:18.414 --> 01:05:23.753
Don't be indifferent, women are being murdered
under our noses!
01:05:23.836 --> 01:05:27.173
Women, listen!
This is your struggle!
01:05:27.715 --> 01:05:31.093
It wasn't your fault!
I do believe you!
01:05:31.260 --> 01:05:34.513
It wasn't your fault!
I do believe you!
01:05:34.513 --> 01:05:47.526
[noise of demonstration, knocking]
01:05:47.944 --> 01:05:51.113
It's not cool to be harassed
01:05:51.113 --> 01:05:57.078
[unintelligible protest shouts]
01:05:57.078 --> 01:06:08.756
[indistinct shouts of protest,
broom sweeping]
01:06:09.465 --> 01:06:14.011
- What do think about the protest?
- Well...
01:06:14.929 --> 01:06:20.851
... I guess that people are protesting
because they've faced that situation.
01:06:22.979 --> 01:06:28.859
- But you never know who it could happen to.
- I guess so.
01:06:30.277 --> 01:06:35.533
- Do you feel close to what those women are saying.
- Honestly, yes I do.
01:06:36.450 --> 01:06:42.999
- In what way? How do you think women are treated.
- Often, with a lot of violence.
01:06:44.417 --> 01:06:51.632
And anyone who's been through that,
whose daughters have been murdered...
01:06:51.632 --> 01:06:55.594
[Indistinct shouts from the protest]
01:06:55.594 --> 01:07:00.391
- Have you ever faced a similar situation?
- Not so far, thank God.
01:07:01.851 --> 01:07:11.652
[shouts of protest,
broom sweeping]
01:07:13.571 --> 01:07:19.869
- When does your shift begin and end?
- From 2 pm to 10 pm.
01:07:20.578 --> 01:07:23.706
Are you always downtown
or were you sent for the protest?
01:07:23.873 --> 01:07:27.460
They just sent us here.
They move us around.
01:07:27.752 --> 01:07:29.545
- How do you feel?
- About what?
01:07:29.712 --> 01:07:32.882
About this protest
about women being murdered,
01:07:33.049 --> 01:07:35.634
and you having to
clean up after them.
01:07:35.801 --> 01:07:40.681
I'd say they have every right to protest,
but they shouldn't make such a mess.
01:07:40.848 --> 01:07:42.850
Just that,
you know?
01:07:43.309 --> 01:07:47.521
- What if people don't listen to them?
- That's the problem.
01:07:49.940 --> 01:07:51.859
That's the thing.
01:07:52.735 --> 01:08:07.291
[unintelligible shouts of protest]
01:08:07.291 --> 01:08:11.587
[paper]
01:08:11.629 --> 01:08:16.342
"Victoria Guadalupe was six years old
when she was reported missing..."
01:08:16.342 --> 01:08:27.228
[street noise,
indistinct voices]
01:08:27.311 --> 01:08:30.231
One shift isn't enough.
Even if it's only me.
01:08:30.397 --> 01:08:31.899
I've got expenses.
01:08:32.274 --> 01:08:35.986
Do you think you'll get a second shift?
Or is that unlikely?
01:08:36.821 --> 01:08:41.158
They keep turning me down,
who knows why.
01:08:42.118 --> 01:08:46.330
I guess they think I'm too old,
I'm not up to it.
01:08:47.414 --> 01:08:51.627
But I like working!
I like earning my own money.
01:08:52.169 --> 01:08:55.673
I like earning a living
with my own work.
01:08:58.050 --> 01:09:00.177
But let me tell you this:
01:09:00.970 --> 01:09:05.474
People who are elderly,
like me,
01:09:06.767 --> 01:09:10.396
are the most responsible workers,
but we are mistreated.
01:09:10.396 --> 01:09:22.575
[street noise, trucks,
indistinct voices]
01:09:22.575 --> 01:09:31.333
[ominous music]
01:09:31.333 --> 01:09:36.755
[ominous music, mopping]
01:09:36.755 --> 01:09:53.105
[ominous music,
subway moving]
01:09:53.105 --> 01:10:11.123
[ominous music, footsteps,
indistinct voices]
01:10:11.123 --> 01:10:14.668
[ominous music, mopping]
01:10:14.668 --> 01:10:18.130
If a dustpan broke,
they'd just fix it with tape,
01:10:18.839 --> 01:10:22.259
and we had to carry on working
with a broken dustpan.
01:10:22.259 --> 01:10:26.680
[noise, mopping, footsteps]
01:10:26.680 --> 01:10:29.183
That made me have an accident.
01:10:30.142 --> 01:10:33.562
As I was heading down,
the dustpan crumpled,
01:10:34.230 --> 01:10:36.941
I slipped and I fell.
01:10:36.941 --> 01:10:48.077
[subway noise,
indistinct voices]
01:10:48.369 --> 01:10:52.373
It was a workplace accident,
but that's not how they saw it.
01:10:54.375 --> 01:10:56.961
They docked almost
a week of my pay,
01:10:56.961 --> 01:10:59.588
[subway noise]
01:11:00.047 --> 01:11:04.260
I sprained my ankle,
but I can't afford not to work.
01:11:04.260 --> 01:11:14.812
[water falling]
01:11:14.812 --> 01:11:27.116
[brushing hair]
01:11:27.116 --> 01:11:50.597
[subway noise]
01:11:51.515 --> 01:11:55.519
[Street noise, indistinct voices]
01:11:56.687 --> 01:12:03.068
Do you think that the Ministry Of Labour and the goverment
are aware of the cleaners situation?
01:12:03.527 --> 01:12:09.033
I've seen those women who work
for the government, for social welfare,
01:12:09.199 --> 01:12:10.743
they're always observing.
01:12:12.161 --> 01:12:17.624
But they never ask us anything.
I don't see them reporting on the situation.
01:12:20.377 --> 01:12:24.548
They claim to support
the most vulnerable sectors.
01:12:27.843 --> 01:12:30.637
But we're the most vulnerable sector!
01:12:30.637 --> 01:12:43.484
[street noise, truck,
horn, indistinct voices]
01:12:43.734 --> 01:12:56.080
[dogs barking, birds chirping,
rooster crowing]
01:12:56.080 --> 01:13:01.919
On my days off I still have to clean.
You're never done with housework.
01:13:02.336 --> 01:13:06.673
Especially owning 17 cats!
That doesn't help.
01:13:08.884 --> 01:13:12.262
- Why do you have 17 cats?
- Because people abandon them.
01:13:12.513 --> 01:13:15.808
And I can't bear
to leave them like that.
01:13:16.016 --> 01:13:18.685
It feels like you're rescuing yourself.
01:13:18.685 --> 01:13:25.651
[meows, water]
01:13:26.151 --> 01:13:31.365
I can't heal my sprained ankle
at the social security hospital or the low-cost clinic.
01:13:31.532 --> 01:13:33.117
They told me so:
01:13:33.659 --> 01:13:36.495
"You have to rest,
that's the only way."
01:13:36.620 --> 01:13:39.039
[water, dishes]
01:13:39.415 --> 01:13:41.708
It feels like a tense elastic,
01:13:41.875 --> 01:13:45.254
and walking is very, very painful.
01:13:46.046 --> 01:13:50.259
[water]
01:13:50.717 --> 01:13:54.054
Then it feels numb,
but I go to work anyway.
01:13:54.513 --> 01:13:56.306
What else can I do?
01:13:57.224 --> 01:14:00.811
They don't care.
One of the foremen even said...
01:14:01.186 --> 01:14:04.815
... that we earn too much
01:14:05.441 --> 01:14:10.404
[dishes, meows]
01:14:13.157 --> 01:14:16.869
Do you have any economic dependents?
01:14:17.286 --> 01:14:19.580
Yes, I support my mother.
01:14:19.746 --> 01:14:24.293
Last year they told us
that she wouldn't be able to walk any more.
01:14:27.171 --> 01:14:29.173
It was like...
01:14:29.590 --> 01:14:32.551
[crying]
01:14:33.427 --> 01:14:35.429
Sometimes...
01:14:37.014 --> 01:14:39.016
You feel down.
01:14:40.559 --> 01:14:42.895
I try to do my best,
01:14:43.520 --> 01:14:47.274
but sometimes it feels like
nothing turns out right.
01:14:48.025 --> 01:14:49.318
So...
01:14:51.820 --> 01:14:55.407
... now I'm feeling a bit helpless,
and my foot...
01:14:55.574 --> 01:14:58.160
... doesn't let me work properly.
01:14:58.744 --> 01:15:03.665
If it was up to me,
I'd work all day to help her out.
01:15:04.458 --> 01:15:06.460
At the end of the day...
01:15:10.756 --> 01:15:13.675
... I'm in a very difficult situation.
01:15:14.635 --> 01:15:25.771
[meows, birds chirping]
01:15:31.151 --> 01:15:34.279
If I were the face
of the company,
01:15:34.571 --> 01:15:36.073
what would you say to me?
01:15:36.573 --> 01:15:41.286
First, they should be more aware
of how they treat us.
01:15:41.537 --> 01:15:45.165
A worker who is treated well,
in decent conditions,
01:15:45.290 --> 01:15:47.251
will always work better.
01:15:47.709 --> 01:15:49.920
But when you repress people,
01:15:50.045 --> 01:15:54.341
you mistreat them,
you denigrate them,
01:15:55.175 --> 01:15:58.053
they will never do your bidding.
01:15:58.387 --> 01:16:03.100
The pressure builds up so much
that it backfires.
01:16:05.602 --> 01:16:10.023
The way they mistreat us,
steal from us, is just a joke to them,
01:16:11.358 --> 01:16:15.112
But as they say,
what goes around comes around.
01:16:17.573 --> 01:16:19.658
I'd ask them to consider...
01:16:19.992 --> 01:16:24.496
... that today they're on top,
but tomorrow they may be at the bottom.
01:16:24.663 --> 01:16:31.086
[birds chirping, barking,
indistinct voices]
01:16:33.547 --> 01:16:37.593
If you didn't do this job,
what else would you like to do?
01:16:37.759 --> 01:16:40.762
If you could choose anything?
01:16:41.388 --> 01:16:42.764
Well...
01:16:44.975 --> 01:16:47.352
... No idea,
I don't know.
01:16:47.936 --> 01:16:53.025
Anything you like, something new
you'd like to try...
01:16:54.526 --> 01:16:59.656
Well, I would like
to have a food vending stall.
01:17:01.617 --> 01:17:06.121
That's something
I've always thought...
01:17:06.413 --> 01:17:09.041
... after I leave this job,
01:17:09.291 --> 01:17:13.253
because I won't be here forever,
I may get tired of it.
01:17:14.046 --> 01:17:17.549
Because it is tiring,
so maybe...
01:17:18.383 --> 01:17:23.930
... a small business where I can
settle down, cook food, and that's it.
01:17:24.890 --> 01:17:27.934
Have you ever been
on an airplane?
01:17:28.727 --> 01:17:33.398
No I haven't,
but I would love to!
01:17:33.649 --> 01:17:36.777
And I'm sure
my dream will come true.
01:17:36.943 --> 01:17:38.987
I want to go to Houston...
01:17:39.613 --> 01:17:41.657
... to see to my throat.
01:17:42.532 --> 01:17:45.702
I'd like to have a stall,
01:17:46.078 --> 01:17:47.746
I like selling things.
01:17:48.372 --> 01:17:51.416
I'd like to sell onions,
nopales...
01:17:52.668 --> 01:17:58.382
I could sell chilies, fruit...
I enjoy selling.
01:17:58.632 --> 01:18:02.594
I'm not embarrassed
or ashamed to sell things.
01:18:03.553 --> 01:18:33.125
[street noise, cars, sirens,
ominous music]
01:18:33.125 --> 01:18:51.643
[ominous music, cars]
01:18:51.643 --> 01:18:58.316
[street noise, ominous music, cars]
01:18:58.316 --> 01:19:17.544
[cars, broom sweeping,
horn, sirens]
01:19:17.544 --> 01:19:33.602
[street noise, cars,
indistinct voices, sirens]
01:19:33.935 --> 01:19:36.813
- There's been an eviction.
- What?
01:19:38.815 --> 01:19:43.862
There's been an eviction
by the Republica Metrobus station.
01:19:44.029 --> 01:19:45.781
They left it all on the street,
01:19:45.947 --> 01:19:50.577
so we need to help
the crew that's there, cleaning up.
01:19:52.370 --> 01:19:55.832
- Do they have to go?
- Everyone.
01:19:56.666 --> 01:20:00.796
That's how it goes. We know when
the shift begins, not when it ends.
01:20:01.004 --> 01:20:04.007
- Who decides that?
- The system. That's all.
01:20:04.007 --> 01:20:21.608
[street noise, cars,
sirens, truck engine]
01:20:21.608 --> 01:21:55.327
[music]
01:21:55.327 --> 01:22:00.373
On April 23rd, 2021, Mexico’s Federal Labor Law
was amended to regulate outsourcing.
01:22:01.082 --> 01:22:07.172
The government claimed to have eliminated the problem, but the truth is that outsourcing is still firmly in place.
01:22:07.464 --> 01:22:12.969
Lobbyists for the business sector defended the benefits afforded by that labor model
01:22:13.345 --> 01:22:18.558
which was only eliminated for very specific
“specialized services.”
01:22:18.892 --> 01:22:24.272
Thus, a historic opportunity to protect the interests of a majority of outsourced workers was wasted.
01:22:25.565 --> 01:22:30.362
THE INVISIBLE CONTRACT
01:22:30.362 --> 01:24:57.801
[music]
01:24:57.801 --> 01:25:00.220
[music ends]
