The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has condemned continuing attacks on transport workers in Venezuela. The attacks have reached their height during recent anti-government demonstrations.
ITF Americas regional secretary, Antonio Rodríguez Fritz, explained: “Our affiliated union the Federación Bolivariana de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras del Transporte (FBTTT) has reported injuries (one a knife wound) to 36 workers and 200 passengers on the Caracas Metro. All were associated with so-called ‘peaceful’ demonstrations carried out by rightwing groups aiming to destabilise the country and bring down Venezuela’s President Maduro.
“During these events demonstrators have attacked transport workers, passengers, rolling stock, and the headquarters of the Ministry of Transport – at which shots were fired.”
ITF president Paddy Crumlin added: “The ITF abhors these cowardly assaults on transport workers and passengers. We trust that the Venezuelan authorities will be able to protect them, and go on to identify and punish those responsible for these crimes and also those leading the destabilisation campaign that has thrown up these attacks.”
ENDS
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org
