Organising DHL workers in Colombia

Publicado: 6 Agosto 2009
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Present were representatives of the ITF affiliate SNTT (Sindicato National de los Trabajadores del Transporte), the UNI affiliate SNPC (Sindicato de Trabajadores Postales de Colombia), Fabio Aras Giraldo, member of the National Executive Committee of CUT, Alexander Gaitán, President of CUT Bogotá-Cundinamarca as well as staff of UNI americas.



The group shared information on national and international logistic companies in Colombia and on union activities on DHL around the globe. They developed a first strategic plan on how to approach DHL workers under the precarious human and labour rights situation in Colombia. The country will surely be a special test case for DHL to prove that it respects ILO Core Labour Standards in all its operations.



DHL Colombia is currently directly employing some 530 workers. The number of subcontractors and agency workers is estimated to be much higher - as it is everywhere in Colombia. On 12 July, DHL Express reported a 6% growth in Q1 09 despite the fall in international trade. Jorge Lavignasse, CEO DHL Express Colombia, expects sales close to 50 million EUR by the end of the year. This would allow for further acquisitions which the company is interested in for three years. Targets are Colombian postal companies like “Servientrega”. The company’s strategy is the delivery “just on time” and assured and low prices in a highly fragmented and competitive market.



The DHL Workers’ Network, which has been formed to protect the rights of DHL employees, is asking the company to live up to its principles of corporate social responsibility and sign a global agreement.



Further UNI activities in Colombia: