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ITF protest against Honduras representative in Fishing Convention
28 August 2009
On August 25, the American Regional Seminar on the Work in Fishing Convention, , 2007 (No. 188) started their works in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
This convention contains provisions designed to ensure that workers in the fishing sector have improved occupational safety and health and medical care at sea, and that sick or injured fishers receive care ashore, sufficient rest for their health and safety, the protection of a work agreement and the same social security protection as other workers. Its provisions are also aimed at ensuring that fishing vessels are constructed and maintained so that living conditions on board are suitable for the long periods often spent at sea by these workers.
For 3 days, employers, government representatives and workers will discuss the importance of ratifying the Convention 188 in benefit of the fishery sector. Among the participants are Jon Whitlow, ITF Secretary of Fisheries Section, Jhonny Hansen, ITF Fisheries section chair, Jean Maninat, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Elizabeth Tinoco, Section Activities Director, ITF affiliates, government representatives and employers.
During the event, Omar Suarez, workers representative in fisheries sector in this seminar and General Secretary of SOMU, ITF affiliate, protested by the presence of one representative from the illegal government of Honduras, country that has been suspended from the Organization of American States –OAS, and reminded the suffering of the workers and the civil society of Argentina suffered during the military regime, and recall the Argentina’s trade union leaders murdered for defending Human and Trade Union rights. Marco Polo Micheletti, brother of the usurper Roberto Micheletti, delegate of the employers from Honduras indicated that it was a lie, that in Honduras there are not detentions and that he didn’t knew the reality of Honduras. Statement that he had to withdraw once the session, which was abruptly suspended, was reconvened.
Gerardo Corres, government representative of Argentina agreed with the position of Omar Suarez and expressed his dissatisfaction with the presence of the Honduras Governmental Delegate.
The Government Delegate from Honduras had to accept his presence was not recognized, and had to leave the meeting room, while Micheletti’s Brother withdrew his comments, a clear recognition that his point of view was not shared across the Seminar participants.
Antonio Fritz, Regional Secretary of ITF read a strong statement supported by the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas, expressing the solidarity with the workers and the whole civil society in Honduras that are fighting to take down the Dictator and reinstall democracy. He also indicated that the Dictator Micheletti, nor anybody elected on faked elections convoked by anybody else than the real and Constitutional President Manuel Zelaya, could be recognised
Antonio Fritz, Regional Secretary commented: "It is clear the message for workers that was sent by Micheletti’s illegal government. First, he commanded a military coup, and on the other hand, oligarchy members in Honduras, including the dictator’s family, represent employers in Honduras. We are to see that.
Micheletti’s tries to create yellow unions in other to show an image that he represents workers too finish. Meanwhile, Honduran people and workers are continuously being repressed in the streets for demanding the return of democracy and disregard of illegal elections that Micheletti intends to accomplish”.
Omar Suarez expressed: “Instead of withdrawing his words, Marco Polo Micheletti should phone his Brother and ask him to withdraw the soldiers and antiriot policemen that are attacking unarmed workers and citizens. Any dictator who uses the military to murder democracy is a mere coward and should be expelled from the international community”.
To watch the video of the statements click here.
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