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International union movement forces labour reform in Guatemala

Published: 17 March 2011
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 On April 2008, the US AFL-CIO and 6 Guatemalan union organisations, jointly filed a complaint before the US Department of Labour against the Guatemalan government for multiple violations of labour legislation and disrespect towards labour fundamental standards. This denouncement was made in the framework of Chapter 16 of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), which expressly treats labour issues.



Last week, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton announced that mediation or other processes might be started, due to the unsatisfactory response of Guatemala towards the issue of violation of labour rights. During more than two years, the Guatemalan, North American and international labour movement exerted all possible means of pressure so that Guatemala would appropriately exercise labour rights and should make the necessary changes, but this has not yet been fulfilled since the complaint was filed.



Although the CAFTA does not provide rules in favour o against workers and simply forces the States to observe these regulations and previously acquired commitments, it does provide special consideration to the issue of labour inspections and with the necessary weight to achieve the compliance of international labour standards. This was precisely one of the key emblematic issues of unions’ struggle, because government and employers were strongly opposed to abide by this initiative.



The decision taken by Guatemala Government on March 15th to hastily modify labour legislation in relation to labour inspections, the establishment of a bond of indemnity or the fulfilment of compensations and other benefits to protect workers in the case a company is shut down, are beyond any doubt an achievement of the labour movement in a country and a region which presents one of the highest rates of violation to labour and human rights in the world.



UNI Americas celebrates this success, but at the same time invites all the affiliates in the region and the world, to remain alert to forthcoming events in relation to this subject in Guatemala, on account of experience and practice which prove a long-lasting history of violation and disrespect to agreements and pacts.



For further information contact: jose.molina@uniglobalunin.org





255/Translated by UNI americas