Three month ago a worker at the port lost both legs after an accident. Other workers have been victimised for doing union work and some companies have violated collective bargaining agreements.
The workers protested outside of the port with their ITF union, Sindicato Nacional De Trabajadores De Rama (SNTT).
They were joined at the demonstration by Antonio Fritz, ITF regional secretary in Latin America: "It really is distressing to hear the working conditions suffered by various dockworkers in Buenaventura,” he said.
“We sympathize with all port workers who have lost their lives or have been injured by accidents. Colombia has international commitments on human rights that we are confident it will honor, including full respect to the exercise of freedom of association and the right to strike."
The president of SNTT, Esteban Barboza, claimed that the companies frightened workers to stop them fighting for decent conditions. He said they deliberately violate labour law and do not comply with basic health and safety standards.
The Colombian government is currently analysing working conditions at ports under the terms of the country’s free trade agreement with the USA.
