Cartons and cases 



Cartons, cases, and strapping for the ?-pound pack are calcu- 

 lated to cost 2.5 cents for each pound of frozen shrimp. Actual cost 

 may be slightly lower, but the standard practice in calculating costs 

 in Carmen is to allow this amount for packaging. 



The 50-pound case and the 5-pound carton are novf being manu- 

 factured in Mexico; previously, all were imported from the United States. 

 Import permits are no longer granted for cases, and permits for cartons 

 are becoming progressively more difficult to obtain. The case seems to 

 be a satisfactory container, but some complaints have arisen with respect 

 to the carton. 



Most 10- and 12-ounce cartons are imported. The locally 

 produced are stapled, which causes difficulty in the processing by 

 wrapping machines. All 10- and 12-ounce cartons are without glaze but 

 are overwrapped. 



Imported cartons enter under bond. Duties are charged on all 

 that are not exported. 



Labor 



Plant workers are paid by the hour in Carmen. The women get 



1.75 pesos (about lU cents) and the men 2 pesos (about 16 cents) an hour. 



The day shift v/orks an 8-hour day and a ItB-hour week. The night shift 



works a 7-hour day and a l42-hour vjeek. Double pay is paid for overtime 

 and holidays. 



The plant workers do not belong to unions, nor do they have 

 the benefits of social security. The company pays for medical supplies 

 and care. 



On the west coast, with the exception of a few key workers, the 

 plant laborers are paid on a piece-v;ork basis. The salaried women get 

 25 to 30 pesos ($2.00 to $2.U0) daily and the men are generally paid 

 about 5 pesos more. 



Most plants on the west coast have incentive-payment plans for 

 pieceworkers. Some plans provide for computation of incentive pay on a 

 daily basis, others on a weekly basis. All plans call for increasing 

 unit payments by steps as the individual's production increases. One 

 plant pays, for grading and packing, 15 centavos (about 1 cent) for each 

 5-pound pan up to 72 pans per day; for all pans packed beyond this number 

 the payment rises to 25 centavos each (2 cents). Another plant begins 

 with 12 centavos. The packers are usually young women, and the better 

 ones earn 25 to 30 pesos (.|;2.00 to $2,U0) daily. At least one plant 

 provides coffee breaks (coffee free), and m^uiy plants furnish transportation 

 without charge. 



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