“We are not treated the same”: construction workers raise their voices

Construction workers raise their voices. The union of women who work in construction, represented by various unions, affirms that only 2% of them are construction managers or leaders.

“One of the things that I will never forget is that psychologically they tell you that you are capable, but you must be behind someone because you lack documents or because you do not speak English well,” says Rosita Elvira Lucas.

Of every 100 construction employees, 16 are women, according to figures from local institutions.

“Being a woman is not easy because we are not treated the same. This world of construction is dominated by men”, adds Lucas.

“We want the culture to change, for there to be opportunities, for them to be paid in the same way,” says Nadie Salazar, director of DC Work with Justice, an organization that watches over workers’ rights.

“We want them not to be victims of harassment or ridicule. We want this space to be free and inclusive and leave a lesson for the women who work in construction”, explains Salazar.

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Maria Herrera has worked in the construction area for 13 years and says that at first it was difficult because she is a woman. After several attempts, she managed to form her group together with her husband and now she works with a team of at least 10 men, although the coronavirus pandemic has affected her work.

Credit: Univision 45 – Maria del Pilar Hanes

Univision 45 – Maria del Pilar Hanes

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Mexican María Herrera, a mother of two, has performed the show for 13 years, when she decided to quit her job at a school where she earned very little.

Credit: Univision 45 – Maria del Pilar Hanes

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The woman originally from Puebla, Mexico, assures that at first her work was difficult, she encountered difficulties because she was a woman.

Credit: Univision 45 – Maria del Pilar Hanes

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After several attempts, she managed to form a group of workers, supported by her husband.

Credit: Univision 45 – Maria del Pilar Hanes

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The coronavirus pandemic has greatly affected their work, but that has not discouraged them.

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“We come to this country to work and we have to set an example,” he concluded.

Credit: Univision 45 – Maria del Pilar Hanes