COLOMBIA - SUPPORT STRIKING SUGAR CANE WORKERS
NTUC and UNISON Northern are calling for support for the campaign for improved pay and working conditions by workers in the sugar cane industry in the Cauca Valley region of Colombia. 9,500 workers are on strike.
This is a major dispute which the companies concerned and the Government are determined to win, but the workers are equally determined and there is widespread public support.
The Cauca Valley CUT is asking for international solidarity and support.
PLEASE SEND LETTERS OF PROTEST TO THE ATTACHED STATEMENT AND SEND TO THE INDIVIDUALS/ORGANISATIONS LISTED. INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - IT CAN HELP PROTECT ACTIVISTS AND EVEN SAVE LIVES!
Background Information
The companies and Government are determined to break the strike and strikers have been attacked by the military, police and companies private security guards including tear gas attacks.
Human Rights Lawyers have been obstructed
The Government claim the strike has been infilitrated by the FARC guerillas - a tactic used by the Government to justify arrest and physical attacks
· Action started on 15 September 2008 when workers in the sugar cane industry whose jobs include sowing, harvesting and working in the refineries took strike action
The major focus of the strike is with the 9,500 corteros - who cut and harvest the sugar cane and are still on strike.
Workers are striking for improved pay and conditions. Working conditions are sub-human and permanently in breach of the most basic human rights.
The "corteros" (cutters) who harvest the sugar cane are paid on the amount they cut - about £1.25 per ton
The youngest and fittest workers can cut 4 tons per day - the average is 2.5 - 3 tons
Working days are 12 hours and can be longer - in 35 degrees heat
Workers receive no sick pay nor paid holidays, and are expected to work weekends and public holidays. The refineries shut for a month in December and the workers are laid off without pay
Workers are not employed by the companies which harvest and refine the sugar cane but are organised through agencies called co-operatives. These were introduced as part of a strategy to casualise employment and achieve greater flexibility. The 9,500 conteros are contracted through 102 co-operatives. According to the government and the companies the corteros are workers and also owners of the co-operatives at the same time and as such do not have the right to collective negotiation, nor to vote to take strike action. The strike hinges on the demand of the corteros that the sugar companies contract them directly putting an end to the co-operative system and restore basic labour laws contained in Colombian law, such as limits on working hours and sick pay
· Because of the co-operative system ASOCANA - the sugar companies organisation - flatly refuses to negotiate with the corteros claiming they have no responsibility. The Government has backed ASOCANA and declared the strike illegal.
· ASOCONA is actively organising against the strike using TV adverts, using corteros not on strike to urge workers not to strike and organising marches against the strike!!
· The Government has sided with the companies and the Minister of Social Protection has claimed the strike has been infilitrated by FARC guerillas. The police have justified aggression against the strikers claiming they were looking for firearms and explosives.
· This dispute is important to the government. The sugar cane industry is crucial as it aims to establish Colombia as one of the world leaders in the production of bio-fuel for which sugar cane can be used. The corteros have been blamed for a rise in the price of petrol. Despite the campaign against them the workers have received widespread public support.
Please take the time to forward the attached statement to the authorities listed and send emails of support for the campaign to dhprohibidolvidar@yahoo.com
NTUC and UNISON Northern are calling for support for the campaign for improved pay and working conditions by workers in the sugar cane industry in the Cauca Valley region of Colombia. 9,500 workers are on strike.
This is a major dispute which the companies concerned and the Government are determined to win, but the workers are equally determined and there is widespread public support.
The Cauca Valley CUT is asking for international solidarity and support.
PLEASE SEND LETTERS OF PROTEST TO THE ATTACHED STATEMENT AND SEND TO THE INDIVIDUALS/ORGANISATIONS LISTED. INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - IT CAN HELP PROTECT ACTIVISTS AND EVEN SAVE LIVES!
Background Information
The companies and Government are determined to break the strike and strikers have been attacked by the military, police and companies private security guards including tear gas attacks.
Human Rights Lawyers have been obstructed
The Government claim the strike has been infilitrated by the FARC guerillas - a tactic used by the Government to justify arrest and physical attacks
· Action started on 15 September 2008 when workers in the sugar cane industry whose jobs include sowing, harvesting and working in the refineries took strike action
The major focus of the strike is with the 9,500 corteros - who cut and harvest the sugar cane and are still on strike.
Workers are striking for improved pay and conditions. Working conditions are sub-human and permanently in breach of the most basic human rights.
The "corteros" (cutters) who harvest the sugar cane are paid on the amount they cut - about £1.25 per ton
The youngest and fittest workers can cut 4 tons per day - the average is 2.5 - 3 tons
Working days are 12 hours and can be longer - in 35 degrees heat
Workers receive no sick pay nor paid holidays, and are expected to work weekends and public holidays. The refineries shut for a month in December and the workers are laid off without pay
Workers are not employed by the companies which harvest and refine the sugar cane but are organised through agencies called co-operatives. These were introduced as part of a strategy to casualise employment and achieve greater flexibility. The 9,500 conteros are contracted through 102 co-operatives. According to the government and the companies the corteros are workers and also owners of the co-operatives at the same time and as such do not have the right to collective negotiation, nor to vote to take strike action. The strike hinges on the demand of the corteros that the sugar companies contract them directly putting an end to the co-operative system and restore basic labour laws contained in Colombian law, such as limits on working hours and sick pay
· Because of the co-operative system ASOCANA - the sugar companies organisation - flatly refuses to negotiate with the corteros claiming they have no responsibility. The Government has backed ASOCANA and declared the strike illegal.
· ASOCONA is actively organising against the strike using TV adverts, using corteros not on strike to urge workers not to strike and organising marches against the strike!!
· The Government has sided with the companies and the Minister of Social Protection has claimed the strike has been infilitrated by FARC guerillas. The police have justified aggression against the strikers claiming they were looking for firearms and explosives.
· This dispute is important to the government. The sugar cane industry is crucial as it aims to establish Colombia as one of the world leaders in the production of bio-fuel for which sugar cane can be used. The corteros have been blamed for a rise in the price of petrol. Despite the campaign against them the workers have received widespread public support.
Please take the time to forward the attached statement to the authorities listed and send emails of support for the campaign to dhprohibidolvidar@yahoo.com
send letters of protest to
ALVARO URIBE VELEZ
Presidente de la República
Carrera 8 No. 7 -26 Palacio de Nariño Bogotá
Fax. 5662071
http://e1.mc382.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=auribe@presidencia.gov.co
FRANCISCO SANTOS
Vicepresidente de la República
Carrera 8 No.7-57 Bogotá D.C.fsantos@presidencia.gov.co
Presidente de la República
Carrera 8 No. 7 -26 Palacio de Nariño Bogotá
Fax. 5662071
http://e1.mc382.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=auribe@presidencia.gov.co
FRANCISCO SANTOS
Vicepresidente de la República
Carrera 8 No.7-57 Bogotá D.C.fsantos@presidencia.gov.co
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