Photo: © Lam Duc Hien

Monday 8th March 2010 marks International Womens Day, to mark this day Doctors of the World presents its investigation into the health of female textile and food processing workers in Guatemala.

In the 1990s, maquilas - factories that are sub-contracted for export industries - appeared on a massive scale in Guatemala and in the rest of Central America. After 36 years of civil war, the return of peace to Guatemala, its geographical proximity with the US, its wages below those of Mexico, and its tax incentives made it especially attractive for companies sub-contracting industrial and food processing.

While these factories are considered drivers of development, the jobs they offer are still unstable and poorly paid. Job discrimination, unhealthy working conditions, psychological and sexual harassment, insults and physical abuse, wrongful dismissals, long working hours and non-payment of overtime are common practice.

Read Doctors of the World's full report on the health of female textile and food processing workers in Guatemala.