One plant, handling peeled and deveined shrimp, pay 9^ 

 centavos (about 8 cents) for each 5-pound box of peeled and deveined 

 shrimp. 



The workers in several plants in Guaymas belong to unions, 

 but those in the other localities do not. Social security does not apply 

 to plant workers, but medical supplies and services are furaished by the 

 companies. 



With the increase in arable land through irrigation projects 

 in the States of Sonora and Sinaloa, the freezing plants in this region 

 are finding it more difficult to obtain labor. Many of the workers are 

 moving into agriculture where they find more freedom and shorter hours. 



Operation and maintenance 



In recent years there has been a notable increase in public 

 power supply throughout Mexico. However, most plants either generate 

 their own power or have auxiliary motors to take over when necessary. 



Potable water, in general, is not abundant, and in many places 

 it is quite scarce. The water in Carmen, Guayiaas, and Mazatlan comes 

 from wells. All of these towns have recently increased their supply, but 

 fresh water is not abundant in any of them. 



It is the usual accounting practice to depreciate the plant in 

 2$ years and the equipment in 10 years. 



Marketing 



Two brokerage companies in the United States handle the bulk of 

 the Mexican frozen-shrimp production from the west coast. Mexican east- 

 co£ist production is handled by various brokers, although one predominates. 



The general pattern of operations is similar among brokers, 

 although detailed practices may vary. In general, the principle is to 

 charge 5 percent of sales value without advances and 7 percent to 8 per- 

 cent of sales value with 70-percent advance on shipment. One brokerage 

 company, on notice of shipment, provides 70 percent of estimates sales 

 value, insurance on shipment, and advance on shipping charges. This 

 company also employs a representative in Mexico who attempts to maintain 

 quality control and keep the associates in contact with all modern 

 developments. The company handles about half of the west-coast production 

 and also the production of one of the larger plants on the east coast. 



113 



