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To: mgarcia@presidencia.gob.gt, Fritz_Antonio@itf.org.uk, pedrozamora65@yahoo.com
Subject: Protest Letter - Guatemalan Dockworkers Under Attack As Police Invade Port
To Oscar Berger Perdomo - Presidente Constitucional de la República de Guatemala, CC: Antonio Rodriguez Fritz - Secretario Regional ITF-Americas, CC: Pedro Zamora Alvarez - Secretario General STEPQ
Ref: Protest Letter - Guatemalan Dockworkers Under Attack As Police Invade Port
I understand that the workers of Puerto Quetzal, represented by the Puerto Quetzal Dockers’ Union - STEPQ are subjected to constant persecution by the port company. This ongoing harassment has been aimed at intimidating workers, including trade union leaders, to resign their union roles. On several occasions police agents have harassed STEPQ trade union leaders, particularly the General Secretary, who has been tracked and pursued by armed agents to his house.
Despite repeated attempts by the company to establish a dialogue, the port company has refused to negotiate with the aim of resolving this situation. As a results, the workers and their representatives were forced to call stoppages – although they kept the port operating, in the interest of avoiding further losses.
On 9 October, at approximately 04h00 Hrs. heavily armed policemen entered the port facilities. This action was additionally appalling, in a country that until recently was not completely at peace.
Despite provocations by the armed personnel and company representatives, workers went to their posts and carried out their usual tasks. At 08h45 nine trade union leaders were denied access to the area. At the same time, the company carried out unjustified and unlawful dismissals. Today 7 more workers received unjustified dismissal notifications.
Martial law appears to be in place in the port. This brutal anti trade union repression by the company violates ILO Convention nos. 87 and 98, which were ratified by your country on February 13th 1952. In the interests of resolving this unacceptable situation I urge you to ensure that:
a)Police leave the port facility
b)Workers be allowed to continue working, free from harassment
c)That the campaign of dismissals that has been carried out over the past two years, be suspended
d)That a negotiation process be initiated to resolve this problem and put an end to repression and harassment in the port
e)That the security and integrity of trade union leaders is guaranteed, as they are in fear for their lives as result of this industrial conflict
I am sure you will agree with me, Mr. President, that these actions violate human rights, and that the correct way to resolve the situation would be firstly to put an end to the harassment and intimidation being perpetrated by the company. Clearly the international image of Guatemala may be negatively affected by military action in Puerto Quetzal. In the genuine hope that your timely intervention will resolve this dispute, I look forward to your response,
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