FERNANDO DEL BERRO

CARGO WOMEN

Thousands of women cross the border every day between Melilla, the spanish enclave in north Africa, and Morocco. They are carrying on their backs bundles of up to 80 kilos of weight. For them just a few euros per day and consequent musculoskeletal disorders. For traders of both territories, millions of euros a year.

Border fence between Spain and Morocco. Melilla is a Spanish city and an exclave located on the north coast of Africa, sharing a border with Morocco with an area of 12.3 square kilometers (4.7 sq mi). Melilla, along with Ceuta, is one of two permanently inhabited Spanish cities in mainland Africa. Melilla. Spain

Three women await the arrival of trucks with merchandise before crossing the border. Today, women are more than 40% of the global workforce and a lot of them are working in the informal economy, where they have to face the most unsafe and unhealthy works. Melilla. Spain

Three policemen who protect the transit of women at the border. Neither the Spanish nor the Moroccan authorities have managed to legislate for the irregular trade that occurs at this crossing. Police tolerated and works daily with dozens of officers to maintain order in the area. Melilla. Spain

Men and women trying to get goods arriving in trucks near the border. These women work as porters, but the loads they carry are the property of Moroccan traders. If these goods were to pass officially through customs, in trucks or containers, the traders would have to pay a tariff. Melilla. Spain

Some women wait for someone to help them load the goods on their backs. This is why often they suffer muscular skeletal disorders, because of the heavy burden, among other adverse health effects Melilla. Spain

Two women carrying goods go by bus to the border. Melilla

A man ties with duct tape some shoes to a woman´s waist. These women not only carry on the shoulders 80 kg packages. Also, they line the abdomen, arms and legs with the largest number of possible products, so they can benefit each pass through the border post. The more goods transported the more economic commission they receive. Melilla. Spain

A man attaches various goods to the abdomen of a woman using tape. These women not only carry on the shoulders 80 kg packages. Also, they line the abdomen, arms and legs with the largest number of possible products, so they can benefit each pass through the border post. The more goods transported the more economic commission they receive. Melilla. Spain

A man helps a woman to load goods on her back. These women not only carry on the shoulders 80 kg packages. Also, they line the abdomen, arms and legs with the largest number of possible products, so they can benefit each pass through the border post. The more goods transported the more economic commission they receive. Melilla. Spain

Two elderly women walk toward the Melilla crossing point carrying on their backs heavy bales of merchandise. Usually this transport is performed from some warehouses located several kilometers away from the border. Melilla. Spain

Four women walk towards the border with heavy loads on their backs. Melilla

A woman walks towards the border with a heavy pack on her back, while a group of men push tires. Melilla. Spain

A woman rests awaiting the opening of the border. Melilla. Spain

Three women bend their bodies forward because of the heavy goods loaded in their back. They walk towards the border between Spain and Morocco. Melilla. Spain

A woman crosses the border turnstiles. Moroccans have to go through narrow turnstiles and have to wait for hours. The border has not been designed for such a flow of people. Melilla. Spain

Wahiba. Melilla

Shaima. Melilla

Bouchra. Melilla

Malika. Melilla

Yamila. Melilla

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