Guendelman S, Silberg M J
Maternal and Child Health Program, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Am J Public Health. 1993 Jan;83(1):37-44. doi: 10.2105/ajph.83.1.37.
As more US companies take jobs to Mexico, complaints are growing that the assembly plants (maquiladoras) exert adverse effects on workers' health. This study assessed the health of female electronic and garment maquiladora workers, comparing them with women employed in services and non-wage earners.
A survey was administered to 480 women living in Tijuana in 1990. The sample was stratified by occupation and length of employment. Functional impediments, nervousness, depression, and sense of control were used as outcome variables, controlling for other confounders.
Despite working longer hours, receiving lower wages, and having less decision latitude and education, maquiladora workers were not worse off than service workers. Maquiladora workers reported similar incidences of depression and lack of control over life. Electronics workers, especially, had lower incidences of nervousness and functional impediments, after controlling for other confounders. Also, maquiladora work did not add an extra health burden compared with non-wage earners.
The adverse effects of maquiladoras previously reported may have been exaggerated. Subjective factors, including negative attitudes toward economic adversity and work dissatisfaction, were stronger predictors of health than were objective indicators.
随着越来越多的美国公司将工作岗位转移至墨西哥，关于装配工厂（加工装配厂）对工人健康产生不利影响的抱怨日益增多。本研究评估了女性电子和服装加工装配厂工人的健康状况，并将她们与从事服务业的女性以及无薪劳动者进行比较。
1990年，对居住在蒂华纳的480名女性进行了一项调查。样本按职业和就业时长进行分层。将功能障碍、紧张、抑郁和控制感用作结果变量，并对其他混杂因素进行控制。
尽管加工装配厂工人工作时间更长、工资更低、决策自由度和受教育程度更低，但她们的状况并不比服务业工人差。加工装配厂工人报告的抑郁发生率以及对生活缺乏控制感的情况相似。尤其是在控制了其他混杂因素后，电子厂工人的紧张和功能障碍发生率更低。此外，与无薪劳动者相比，加工装配厂工作并未增加额外的健康负担。
此前报道的加工装配厂的不利影响可能被夸大了。主观因素，包括对经济逆境的消极态度和工作不满，比客观指标更能预测健康状况。
