The ITF has written to the President of Guatemala protesting at what the organisation describes as 'an impending crisis' in the port of Quetzal, where 300 armed riot police yesterday occupied the entire facility
ITF affiliated union the Puerto Quetzal Dockers' Union reports that police have been looking for the union leaders, one of whom has been followed home by armed men. Guatemala is second only to Colombia as the most dangerous country for trade unionists in Latin America.
ITF Inter-Americas Regional Secretary Antonio Fritz explained what is happening: "The union initiated industrial action on September 11th. They stopped work for one hour on the first week and then increased one hour per week. At 04:00 yesterday the government sent the police in. A meeting was scheduled between the union and the Communications Minister, but he cancelled it."
"The Company had been dismissing workers for some time and has sent armed policemen to look for the union leaders before this, but the workers protected them. We have heard that today seven people have been arrested for taking part in 'an illegal strike'."
He concluded: "Guatemala has still not shaken off the violence and fear bred by decades of civil war and repression. It is a deeply dangerous place in which to defend human, civil and trade union rights. This occupation and these arrests have turned a peaceful strike into a crisis."
The union has notified the ILO and the Guatemalan national human rights office. The protest letter from the ITF is available in Spanish. Please contact dawson_sam@itf.org.uk to receive it.
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson, direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260. E-mail: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF: HEAD OFFICE, ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DR,Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733, Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7357 7871, Email: mail@itf.org.uk Web-page: www.itfglobal.org
Source: ITF (International Transport Workers Federation)