Cozumel News November 18th, 2014: Aurita’s Corner, Volunteer and Donate! This week’s Cozumel News Update includes IMSS Drops the Ball, Filming of La Isla in Cozumel, Cozumel Taxi Union Looking for an increase, Cozumel Man Spends Night in Well, Cozumel Sea Workers asks Zofemat for Help, City of Cozumel Discounts, and Cozumel events Calendar.
Aurita’s Corner
VOLUNTEER & DONATE
No matter how small your monthly pension is, it is a fortune to the average Mexican family. There is no minimum hourly wage; there is a daily minimum of wage of $63.77 Mexican Pesos for a full day of work. At an exchange rate of 12.50, this comes to $5.10 cents per day. If you are a “legal” employee, your employer is paying into social security for you and you are enrolled in either the social security (IMSS) or another federally operated health plan. (That is another story!)Your workday is 8 hours if by day 7.5 hours if a night shift. If you are lucky enough to hold one of these contracted jobs, chances are you are working a second job to help make ends meet.
In Cozumel, the hiring stops at 35 years of age, there is no law against age discrimination. I am certain this is tied to the fact that the insurance required by law is based on age, the older you are, the higher the premium. This is why you see seniors at the grocery stores working for TIPS ONLY, and parking attendants and people offering to help carry the groceries are also there working for TIPS ONLY. You will see children in their school uniforms also working for tips.
There is an army of workers that are not contracted by anyone. Desperate to find employment, they work for less than the minimum wage, for longer hours, and some for tips only. These people have no health coverage or social security when they get older. These people are also the entrepreneurs you see selling anything they can think of to make a living. The Mexican people are the hardest working people that I know.
I have provided the figures on wages and the cost of living in https://www.thecozumelsun.com/volunteer-donate/ so that you can do the math. There is no excuse for anyone living in Cozumel not giving back to the people that have welcomed us into their home. It does not have to be monetary, you can donate things you no longer need or use, volunteer your time, or volunteer your talents. Get out there and give! Pictured is my friend Susan Bonnet and some of the children in her neighborhood that she has helped. Her campaign to raise toys, food and clothing for the very poor is now on the way. See her Three kings Day Toy Drive !
Here is a list of a few organizations that need your help, contact them or do as I do, ADOPT A FAMILY!
Cozumel CAM School for Disabled Children
Rancho Universal Horse Sanctuary and Riding Therapy for Children
The News
The past week has been on the most part uneventful, except for reports of the number of cruise ship arrivals and airplanes. The news was sprinkled with motor cycle accidents and petty theft blamed on juveniles, preparing for Buen Fin and the success of Buen Fin, but nothing eventful enough for me to produce another issue this past week.
IMSS drops the ball
Along the line of motorcycle accidents, a tragedy involved the misdiagnosis of a man that ran a red light and crashed into another motorcycle. Police on the scene arrested him for drinking and the accident, but took him first to IMSS Emergency. The Doctor on staff saw no apparent injury and released him to the police, who promptly took him to jail. As I understood the article, twelve hours later they found him unresponsive in his cell and summoned an ambulance. He died later at the hospital of a head injury.
Filming of “La Isla” in Cozumel
Various film tests for use in the movie “La Isla” began this week in Cozumel. Everything has been reported to be positive so far for the approval of scenes of Colombia Lagoon and other areas within Punta Sur National Park to be used in the movie. The presence of dozens of birds, crocodiles, fish diversity, mangrove, wilderness areas with sand and the color of the sea, is the ideal stage to give a special environment to the theme of a deserted island. Cozumel is enjoying the visit of some 50 people involved in making the film.
Cozumel Taxis Looking for an Increase
Fernando Marrufo Martin, the General Secretary of the Union of Taxi Drivers “Adolfo Lopez Mateos”, formally took delivery an application to increase their base service charge to the government of Quintana Roo. The last increase was authorized in 2009 and they reason that rising fuel prices make it necessary to request another increase. The base service charge is $20 pesos and the requested increase is 10% to $22 pesos. If this increase is authorized, the 702 union members seek o have the increase effective the end of the year or in the worst case in January 2015.
Cozumel Man Spends Night in Well
A man fell into a well about five feet deep in Colonia Emiliano Zapata. The fall occurred during Sunday night and apparently, nobody noticed so he had to wait until Monday morning to be rescued May Alberto Borges, commander of the firefighters on the island of Cozumel announced they received the distress call at around 6:50 am. Help was requested to take a subject that had fallen into the pit of a property located at 65 Avenue Bis entre 4 and 6 north. The man was taken to a hospital for evaluation and observation. Hours later, he was discharged.
Cozumel Sea Workers asks Zofemat for Help
Anglers and water service providers ask the relevant authorities to have the area of Pier San Miguel cleaned as the kelp is damaging pipelines suction pumps used on vessels and propellers. During strong winds, sea currents wash kelp up on the shore, and also prevent tourists from swimming on the shores of the beaches.
In addition, this type of aquatic plant produces Methane gas. When the kelp rots it is harmful to their health and can trigger the disease disipela. (I looked it up and the real name is Erysipelas)The strong stench generated looks like bad pollution and is disruptive to tourists. Erysipelas is a contagious disease that can affect anyone, regardless of age having one of the risk factors of cuts or skin lesions, ulcers and problems with lymphatic drainage or veins.
The Seafarers are requiring prompt action by the Maritime Terrestrial (Zofemat) Federal District and the Department of Ecology to carry out cleaning and lifting of several tons of kelp that have accumulated in the Pier.
COZUMEL EVENTS CALENDAR 2014
Exhibit by Dr. Chey´s Brother November 6th – January 6th
CITY OF COZUMEL DISCOUNTS
On November 1, the City announced this year’s discount program: (Note if you have an INAPAN arid (senior discount), you qualify for a 50% discount on taxes! *To apply see instructions in The Cozumel Sun section on Important Documents: https://www.thecozumelsun.com/living-in-cozumel-guide/important-documents/
Property Taxes
25% Discount if you pay November 18 – December 1.
20% Discount if you pay December 2nd –December 15th
15% Discount if you pay December 16th – December 31st
10% Discount if you pay January 1st – February 28th
Trash Collection Commercial and Home
10% discount if you pay November 18th – February 28th
GRAN FONDO NY COZUMEL NOVEMBER 23RD
Nov/23/2014 – Nov/23/2014
Join us on Nov 23, 2014 for a ride that you will never forget through the breath taking island of Cozumel. The Gran Fondo will take you all the way around the island, as you enjoy the spectacular views of this Mayan paradise. You will ride through 20 miles of coastline roads, which stretch along the tempting turquoise ocean, as you push yourself through the island’s challenging winds. GET READY– this will be a truly challenging and competitive race with some amazing athletes ready to conquer the island as the Mayans did 3000 years ago. Come see why Cozumel has become a top destination for many of the world’s most ambitious athletes.
IRONMAN COZUMEL NOVEMBER 30TH
