Tijuana Sex Workers Demand Reform

Sex workers in Tijuana demand dismantling of Municipal Medical Services due to high fees and lack of care. Mexican maquiladoras step up to combat sexual harassment with training programs.

**Primary Article:**

**Sex Workers Urge Abolition of Municipal Medical Services in Tijuana**

Tijuana, Mexico – A collective of sex workers in Tijuana is advocating for the dismantling of Municipal Medical Services, accusing the agency of charging high fees without providing any medical care in return. Members of the organization “Vanguardia de Mujeres Libres, María Magdalena” voiced their concerns during a press conference, emphasizing that these issues would be addressed in an upcoming meeting with Arnulfo Guerrero, the head of the Municipal Government Secretariat.

According to the sex workers, the health card fees have escalated significantly over the past nine years, yet the quality of services has stagnated. Activist Víctor Clark derided Municipal Medical Services as ineffective, terming it merely a “revenue collection tool” for local government instead of a functional health service provider.

Clark suggested that the department should be disbanded and replaced with ongoing sexual education programs, allowing women to choose their healthcare providers freely.

Additionally, the group has faced recent threats aimed at preventing them from working in Tijuana’s “Tolerance Zone.” Security consultant Julián Leyzaola reportedly visited the area with a security detail, warning the workers that they would have to operate indoors rather than on the streets. Such measures were viewed as moral impositions, with claims that various police officers and city officials who frequent the area do not have the ethical high ground to restrict their work.

The sex workers have threatened to pursue legal action to protect their right to work in the tolerance zone if the city moves to ban them. This area, which includes Primera and Coahuila Streets, accommodates around 700 workers.

**Secondary Article:**

**Mexican Maquiladoras Train to Combat Sexual Harassment**

In response to growing concerns regarding workplace harassment, manufacturing plants in Mexico, known as maquiladoras, are intensifying their efforts to address sexual harassment and assault allegations. Numerous companies are launching training programs aimed at educating their workforce on the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe work environment.

These initiatives are part of broader compliance measures to improve workplace culture and safeguard employees against harassment. The move has garnered attention as sectors beyond the maquiladoras are also recognizing the urgency to confront such issues, ensuring safe spaces for all workers.

Meanwhile, the city of Tijuana is experiencing significant changes as authorities prepare to elect a new security secretary. These developments coincide with ongoing discussions about the protection and rights of sex workers, reflecting broader societal shifts in attitudes toward employee security and rights across various sectors.