Economist.com | Central America: "Fears [about CAFTA] are echoed by opponents in El Salvador. They claim an influx of new maquila jobs will lead to a further deterioration of working conditions. Ms Ramos says these are already bad. In her last job, at Confecciones Ni?os, a textile factory in a free-trade zone owned by a former general, she says she was often denied drinking water, bathroom visits and time-off to see a doctor. Her wages were paid late, and overtime not at all. She adds that when she tried to form a union, she was threatened with the sack and blacklisting. All of this breached the country's labour laws. "