Thirty-four union members at a free-trade zone plant financed by the IFC – laid off for over six weeks – were reinstated on 14 April. Management further agreed to provide medical treatment to those who were beaten; to pay back-salaries for the time of the dispute; and to recognise the right to unionise inside the factory. The layoffs vindicated fears of labour and NGO monitors who had pushed the IFC into commissioning an independent investigation into prior alleged labour violations against the plant’s owners, Grupo M.