Colombia: Brinks security worker takes his own life
UNI Global Union is mourning the tragic death of Colombian security worker and trade union leader Gustavo Becerra.
Gustavo, who worked at the American security firm Brinks, took his own life inside a cash-in-transit vehicle using a company gun.
According to his union SINTRABRINKS, Gustavo had been suffering from depression and had been going through a relationship break-up at the time of his death. In a bid to help his family situation and mental health, the union says, he had repeatedly pleaded for a reduction in his working hours but was denied by Brinks.
SINTRABRINKS says Gustavo had been working double shifts of between 16 and 18 hours a day at his job in the city of Bucaramanga but was not regularly receiving a day off. In Colombia, the legal working day is 8 hours with 2 hours overtime permitted if both parties agree. Workers are also entitled to one day off per week. Brinks had previously rejected repeated requests made by Gustavo and other union leaders for a reduction in hours.
UNI Americas Regional Secretary Adriana Rosenzvaig said, “We are devastated to receive news of the death of Gustavo Becerra.
“UNI Global Union is working with its local affiliate to ascertain all the facts surrounding this tragedy but what is certain is that no worker should be pressured into excessive and exhausting hours against their wishes.”
“This painful news reinforces UNI’s commitment to the struggle for a decent life for workers in the private security sector. Our thoughts are with Gustavo’s family at this time.”
Cash in transit work in Latin America can be extremely stressful with workers often carrying large amounts of cash and in danger of suffering violent attacks at any time.
A Brinks worker in Chile took his own life on Brinks premises in June this year. Rodrigo Aballays killed himself with his service weapon inside a vehicle parked within the precinct of a Brinks branch.
UNI Global Union is calling on Colombian authorities to take urgent action to ensure that all private security firms, including Brinks, comply with all wage and hour laws as well as safety regulations.