News

Union members at Prosegur in Paraguay and UNI Global Union today (31.10.12) presented a complaint to the ILO against the Government of Paraguay for anti-Union actions of the company. The Spanish private security company Prosegur dismissed more than 300 workers unionized July 30, being the first mass dismissal after the coup in Paraguay.



On July 30, 2012, Prosegu dismissed 327 members of the Union. This action occurred just over 5 weeks after the coup d'etat that took place. President Lugo was impeached by the right wing majority in Congress despite being elected directly by the people and facing charges that he was only given 2 hours to answer to. The complaint to the ILO against the Government of Paraguay alleged that the Government was the guarantor of the rights of freedom of Association, collective bargaining and the right to strike. Having intervened to get the workers to suspend their striike action in return for talks, the Paraguayan Government should have stuck to its commitment to resolve the dispute and not allow the company to dismiss the Union and all its members. The strike was a legitimate dispute to claiming a collective agreement and fairer working conditions. The Paraguayan Government has not done anything for the reinstatement of this huge amount of workers.



"Already three months passed since Prosegur liquidated the Union in this company. The Paraguayan Government hasn't done anything to secure the reinstatement of these workers and the rules of the ILO which is a signatory", said Andriana Rosenzvaig Regional Secretary of UNI Americas.



"We have exhausted all instances to find a solution to our claims and the company is in an absolutely inaccessible position," said Mario Lomaquis one of the workers.



Prosegur employees in Spain, Portugal, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia are all organizing activities to support their union brothers and sisters in Paraguay.