Workers arriving at “Lázaro Cárdenas” park in Playa del Carmen face exploitation and harassment by contractors and police.
Former employees of the Mayan Train project have become itinerant inhabitants, sleeping in improvised shelters under bridges and in public gardens. Over 500 workers gather daily at “Lázaro Cárdenas” park in the Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta neighborhood, hoping to be hired.
These workers, many from Central America, face discrimination and vulnerability. They report constant inspections by authorities, with agents entering the park every half hour and checking their belongings.
The workers endure precarious conditions, low wages, and lack of social benefits. Those without complete documentation are particularly affected. Jaime, a Honduran worker, earns between 3,000 and 5,000 pesos weekly but sends half to his family in northern Mexico. He dreams of a better life if he were naturalized.
Antonio from Chiapas and Felipe from San Cristóbal highlight the challenges of being new workers in the city. Many lack proper documentation, making it difficult to secure stable employment. Contractors exploit this by underpaying them, while police harass them, often taking their money under threat of arrest.
Despite these hardships, the workers remain hopeful, waiting for the high season when hotels open for remodeling. Until then, they are easy prey for exploitative contractors and corrupt police.
Source: Por Esto
