Ezzie Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 Anyone ever heard of these guys? I am working in my yard today digging a trench to run a new electrical cable to my garage. This guy stops by out on the street and calls out to me to come talk to him. He is carrying some forms and says he is a representative of some construction worker's syndicate or "union" Says I need to pay him about $3,400 for a residential work permit or something to that effect. The type of work I am doing is for my personal use on my own home, on my own property and I am not employing anyone to do the work. He was a bit of a seedy looking character and that there will be problems for me if I don't pay it. Said he is from Guadalajara and will be returning tomorrow. Seems to have no affiliation with the Municipal Gov't and showed no credentials. Would not leave me any paperwork to review with anyone. Anybody else on here ever been visited by these guys?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanMexicali Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 I looked up residential building/work permits in Guadalajara. Only if you are building a structure 20 sq. meters or more is a building "licence" required. It appears he is an extortionist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 The construction workers union has no control over your own labor. Only if you have hired workers to do it for you. If he insists tell him to wait outside while you call the police to come and help. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezzie Posted March 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 This is actually some sort of "Obra Sindicato" or Construction Worker's Union. I would think this should be something that is directed at larger construction companies that have a lot of workers rather than at private homeowners. Just wondering if any one else in the Chapala area has ever been visited by some represrntatives of such an entity. A friend that I have used on occasion as a contractor thinks it is a scammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Try and take his photo... and a photo of his "credentials". That oughta send him packing for the grifter that he is. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mostlylost Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Yes the workers union will visit some construction sites lakeside. Usually your architect or engineer that obtained the construction permit will have already taken care of it so you never see them. Actually the construction workers union lakeside is the most powerful union in the area. . There is no such thing as a "contractor" in Mexico. It is only a person that does work. There is no contractor license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Very strange. Are you living on an "open" lot with no walls, how can people see you if you are living "Behind the Walls"??? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezzie Posted March 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Not living behind any walls as I am in a rural area east of Chapala not far from VDL where there is a lot of construction on the go. Just fences to keep the cows and horses out. Good idea to get photos of the guy and his paperwork. Still not sure why they would be bothering one old man in his early '70s digging a trench about 10 mtrs. long on his own property. Hardly should be a concern for a worker's union other than just an attempt to extort money. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 9 hours ago, Ezzie said: Not living behind any walls as I am in a rural area east of Chapala not far from VDL where there is a lot of construction on the go. Just fences to keep the cows and horses out. Good idea to get photos of the guy and his paperwork. Still not sure why they would be bothering one old man in his early '70s digging a trench about 10 mtrs. long on his own property. Hardly should be a concern for a worker's union other than just an attempt to extort money. What is VDL?. Maybe they think you are digging footings if there is a lot other "activity" in the area 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezzie Posted March 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Vista del Lago (the community above the Chapala Golf Course east of Chapala). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pappysmarket Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Since we owned and operated a B&B in Ajijic and employed people we always had an attorney. We were constantly being visited by the Union people, Bomberos and plenty of other grifters. Always had plenty of his business cards available and smiled and handed them out and advised he would handle everything. He took care of the legit ones and the others we never heard back from. If you have ever used an attorney there suggest you get some cards and let him/her know what you are doing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natasha Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Try and take his photo... and a photo of his "credentials".......... then tell him to wait outside while you call the police ----- Ferret and MostlyLost have the right idea. Nothing but a scare tactic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hud Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 13 hours ago, Ezzie said: Not living behind any walls as I am in a rural area east of Chapala not far from VDL where there is a lot of construction on the go. Just fences to keep the cows and horses out. Good idea to get photos of the guy and his paperwork. Still not sure why they would be bothering one old man in his early '70s digging a trench about 10 mtrs. long on his own property. Hardly should be a concern for a worker's union other than just an attempt to extort money. This is a scam. He thinks you are just another dumb gringo that will pay out of fear. Many do, so he figures it is worth his effort. Maybe you will offer to pay "half and he will be thrilled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakeside7 Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Could be the guy has never seen a "Gringo" doing laboring work and thought some new construction was happening..natural where there is a lot of construction going on in the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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