News

The international labour movement united today in solidarity for workers’ rights after German trade union organizer Orhan Akman was expelled from Peru.

Led by UNI Deputy General Secretary Christy Hoffman, staff from UNI Global Union travelled to the Peruvian Consulate in Geneva to present a letter to the President of Peru, demanding that Akman be allowed freedom of movement and that trade union rights were respected in the country.

Representatives from Global Union Federations including the IUF, IndustriALL and the BWI bolstered the action at the Peruvian consulate. Affiliates such as ver.di in Germany, PAM in Finland and CCOO in Spain also took part in actions at their respective Peruvian embassies to support trade union rights internationally.

UNI Global Union Deputy General Secretary Christy Hoffman said, “It’s unacceptable that the Peruvian government can expel people from the country for peaceful protests. We demand that Peru respects worker and trade union rights such as freedom of association, peaceful protests and collective bargaining.”

“Workers and trade unionists are being unfairly targeted by companies and governments for their union activity, and we must defend human and labour rights around the world.”

Akman has successfully overseen unionization and collective bargaining at companies such as Cencosud, accompanied by peaceful strikes and demonstrations of Peruvian workers. The Peruvian government has accused Akman of “disrupting public order, tranquility and social peace” and has therefore refused him reentry to the country. Despite the authorities claiming to have evidence to corroborate this public disruption, no proof of the alleged claims has been produced.

To support Orhan Akman and the rights to freedom of association and trade union organizing, please sign our LabourStart petition.