Maquiladora Employment

Mexico’s maquiladora industry continued to expand in March, with employment rising at a 6.6 percent annualized rate. During first quarter 2005, maquiladoras added over 25,700 jobs.

Looking at employment gains by major sector, transportation grew at the fastest pace in March (12.3 percent annualized), while chemicals and services added jobs at annualized rates of 10 percent and 9.2 percent, respectively. The textiles, furniture and electronics sectors added jobs at a more moderate rate, while machinery jobs declined. On a year-to-date basis, the electronics sector has witnessed the largest number of job gains—over 15,200—followed by transportation, with almost 1,700 jobs.

The maquiladora industry along the Texas–Mexico border—which accounts for 36 percent of total maquiladora employment—recorded a net gain of just over 7,200 jobs in first quarter 2005.

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