News

During the collective bargaining process between SINTRACARBÓN and “Carbones del Cerrejón”, our brothers Igor Kareld , National President of Sintracarbón and member of the World Executive Committee of IndustriALL Global Union; and Aldo Raúl Amaya, union treasurer, have received repeated threats and intimidation which also involved their families.



Industriall denounced that on January 6, 7 and 8, individuals who have not been identified called Aldo Raúl Amaya’s house warning him to be careful. Family members have also received these threats. In addition to this, armed men have been spotted near his residence.



On January 10, Igor Kareld’s wife received a call on her cell phone from an individual who called her by name and stated knowing her daughters’ daily schedules. Previously, on July 18th, 2012, Igor Kareld was directly threatened during a work session with the bargaining commission, where he was given a deadline to leave the country together with his family.



At the same time, the paramilitary group “Los Rastrojos” sent a written threat to the Colombian Workers’ Central - CUT, targeting several sections of this organization as well as Sintracarbón.



UNI Americas sent a letter to the president of Colombia, Jose Manuel Santos, expressing concern at the repeated acts of violence against SINTRACARBÓN fellow workers, and the threats made against the CUT. The letter demands that the competent authorities find those responsible and ensures the right to life and freedom of association.