### Maquiladoras Ease Hiring Requirements, Accept Employees with Drug Consumption
In response to a significant shortage of labor, maquiladora companies in Tijuana have relaxed their hiring requirements, now allowing individuals with certain drug addictions to join the workforce. This development was revealed by José Luis Contreras Valenzuela, the president of the Association of Industrialists of the Mesa de Otay (Aimo).
During a session with the Madrugadores Group, Contreras Valenzuela acknowledged that the pressing need for personnel has compelled companies to be more lenient, particularly with marijuana consumption. However, he emphasized that this flexibility is subject to each company’s policies, and there is noticeably less tolerance for more severe substances like methamphetamines and cocaine.
Contreras Valenzuela pointed out that drug addiction is a national health issue and should be treated as such. He explained that during the hiring processes, it was discovered that up to five out of every ten applicants had addiction problems, prompting the adoption of these measures. Despite the leniency for certain substances, the industrial sector remains cautious about harder drugs due to their more severe implications.
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