**Government of Baja California Considers Suspension of Prime Wheel Plant 3**
The Government of Baja California is currently evaluating whether to suspend operations at Prime Wheel Tijuana’s Plant 3, following the temporary closure of its Plants 1 and 2 due to several safety and hygiene violations. Alejandro Arregui Ibarra, head of Baja California’s Department of Labor and Social Welfare, stated that inspections are ongoing at Plant 3 to determine the need for a suspension.
“Inspectors are actively working in both Plant 1 and Plant 2, while efforts are ongoing at Plant 3 to decide on a potential suspension. The company has agreed to facilitate the continued operation of the administrative staff to ensure the processing of payrolls,” Arregui Ibarra mentioned.
This development follows a major incident on October 22, 2023, where a worker was tragically caught in a machine, leading to the suspension of the two plants. Social media reports indicate that administrative roles, primarily based in Plant 1, are still active.
Arregui Ibarra emphasized that about 300 employees are currently working in administrative roles, and assured that workers affected by the plant suspensions will receive their due payments. The STPS initiated inspections back on August 12, after a reported accident where a person was initially thought to have died at the factory. Further complication arose with the disappearance of Servando Salazar Cano on August 23, leading to another inspection.
Efforts to conclude these inspections continue, providing essential information that has prompted federal labor interventions.
**Additional Information – Industry-Wide Safety Concerns**
In light of the recent events at Prime Wheel, the industrial sector in Tijuana anticipates widespread inspections focusing on workplace safety standards. This response aims to address growing concerns among workers and activists regarding hazardous conditions. The family of the worker who died recently expressed that he had reported feeling overwhelmed by frequent machinery malfunctions.
Activists in Baja California are also drawing attention to related issues, including the disappearance of over 20,000 individuals in the region, emphasizing the need for improved oversight and accountability across various sectors.
**Sports and Educational Developments in Tijuana**
In other local news, Tijuana is preparing for the 2024 International Mile, with 21 elite athletes competing in the renowned event. Additionally, January marks the establishment of a new federal public university in Tijuana, located in La Encantada along Bulevar 2000, promising to enhance educational opportunities in the area. Meanwhile, ongoing protests by SNTE workers highlight educational system challenges, with demands for overdue payments to administrative staff and other personnel.