End Violence Against Trade Unions Colombia
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Colombia
En EspañolColombia is the most dangerous country in the world for union organizing. More trade unionists are murdered in Colombia every year than in the rest of the world combined. According to the Solidarity Center of the AFL-CIO, roughly 4,000 Colombian trade unionists have been murdered in the past 20 years, more than 2,000 of them since 1991. The ITUC reports that 78 trade unionists were murdered in 2006 in Colombia in a pattern of "selective, systematic and persistent violence" which amounts to a "fully fledged humanitarian crisis." Workers are also intimidated through the use of death threats, arrests, firings for organizing and many other forms of harassment.
Paramilitary groups are responsible for the majority of the violence targeting trade unions in Colombia. Several government informants have also made allegations of collaboration between the Department for National Security, among other government agencies and officials, who have been involved in collaborating in harassing union organizers. Part of the problem is that there is a pervasive culture of impunity for crimes targeting unions and the ITUC estimates that over 99 percent of the cases were unpunished and/or not investigated.
Multinational corporations operating in Colombia like Drummond, Nestlé, Chiquita and Dole have capitalized on the violent anti-union atmosphere created by armed paramilitary groups for their own profit.
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Fairness in Flowers
Action is needed to stop Dole from a repeat of what happened to workers of Splendor when they tried to bargain for a contract. Dole has a chance to redeem itself by respecting worker rights. Send an email to Dole demanding they negotiate in good faith with the Fragancia workers.