Martha Pineda worked for CODELEX, a cleaning company notorious for its disregard of workers’ rights—but which enjoys many lucrative contracts to clean government buildings. After receiving two labor rights trainings from Erika, an educator for the Labor Rights Project, she began encouraging coworkers to attend the trainings and learn their rights.
From Mistreated Worker To Labor Rights Educator
July 16, 2009
Then suddenly, she was dismissed from her job of five years. Martha knew it was against the law to be fired without just cause and decided to call Erika that night. The next day, Martha’s supervisor couldn’t believe she knew the exact amount of the severance benefits she was legally due, and that she was requesting it in full! But the supervisor said CODELEX would only give Martha a meager fraction of these benefits. “Take it or leave it,” the supervisor said.
Labor Rights Project staff accompanied Martha to the Labor Court, where they reported this violation. But before the scheduled hearing date, CODELEX, intimidated by Martha’s boldness, made her a new, much more favorable offer, which Martha accepted.
The severance benefits Martha received will see her and her family through until she can find new employment in Honduras’ tough labor market. But Martha has gained much more than money. The training she received did more than teach her about labor rights. It’s been designed to help women grow spiritually and improve often very low self-esteem by helping them to make good decisions, value who they are, and have confidence in who they can become.
It worked for Martha: she’s become a labor rights educator, working alongside Labor Rights Project staff to help women like her. “I talk to workers in a language they understand,” says Martha, smiling.
For Erika, seeing this transformation in Martha has been a true blessing: “My great privilege is to be training and telling these women, ‘You are created in the image of God, you are God’s creation. No matter how much money or power a person may have, no one can take this truth away from you,’” Erika says.
Hear from as she Martha bravely shares her story:
Choosing defiant hope over fear.
Earlier this month, The Banner published a story written by Our Shared Ministr y by Karina Guevara and Elmer Salinas . The authors showcase the work that ASJ-Honduras is doing to help and support students in Honduras. Karina and Elmer tell the story of Genesis Garcia, an 8-year-old, whose family struggles to find consistent jobs. "Genesis Garcia Baquedano is 8 years old and lives with her older brother, Anderson, and their parents in Honduras. Her parents work hard to support their family. Genesis’s father is a painter who struggles to find consistent work, and her mother is a street vendor who spends long hours away from home." According to Karina and Elmer, although Genesis is a good student, she was struggling with reading, writing, and math. This is where the ASJ-Hondurans' program, Strong Communities , comes to be a blessing. "Through God’s grace, Genesis and her family were able to join the Strong Communities program facilitated by World Renew’s local partner, Association for a More Just Society (ASJ, because the Spanish translation is Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa). Through the program, Genesis attended academic support sessions, where she impressed her tutors with her perseverance and enthusiasm. Now, Genesis’s teachers praise the program for the significant progress Genesis has been making at school." We are blessed to be able to help kids like Genesis and her family to be able to achieve their dreams and goals. You can read the full story HERE and learn more about the ASJ-Honduras Strong communities program HERE
Highlights from our 25th Anniversary Celebration in Grand Rapids, MI
MY EMPTY VILLAGE / HOW IMMIGRATION AFFECTS A COMMUNITY (by Sara Pineda)
Young Hondurans have stepped up for democracy (by Blanca Stephanie Elvir)
Reflecting on 25 years of seeking justice together (by Jo Ann Van Engen)
From the Executive Director
What does paused international aid mean for ASJ?
Something Worth Waiting For
Will you walk with us for a more just society?
