SOLIDARITY WITH
Workers at the El Cerrejón coal mine organise in the union SINTACARBON. Their placards read
WE DEMAND BETTER LABOUR CONDITIONS FOR SUB-CONTRACTORS; WE DEMAND THE RIGHT TO DECENT HEALTH; HOW MUCH MORE DO WE HAVE TO DO TO GET A DECENT SALARY?
The three main union federations and many social organisations have called a general strike in Colombia on 17 March against the policies of the Santos government. The unions’ demands include:
· A decent increase in the minimum wage
· No to cuts in pension and health provisions
· Freeze prices of essential products
· Opposition to privatisation of major state asset, Isagen hydroelectric company
· That the government implements the agreement it made with farmer and indigenous organisations.
The social organisations and trade unions repeated their support for the peace talks taking place between the government and the guerrilla groups (FARC and ELN), but they insist that the government has to adopt political, social and economic measures to alleviate the crisis facing ordinary Colombians.
CERREJON WORKERS ON STRIKE
Workers at Carbones del Cerrejón Limited (*) have voted over 98% in favor of the general strike. The workers’ union Sintracarbón states "It has not been the intention of the union to strike, we were confident that the company would understand the just demands of the workers and give a particular procedure and appropriate solution".
(*) El Cerrejón is jointly owned by BHP Billiton, Anglo American and Glencore. These three companies are either headquartered in London or are listed on the UK stock exchange.
We condemn the assassination of indigenous activist Berta Cáceres in Honduras, and demand security for witness Gustavo Castro Soto More info at http://movimientom4.org
MORE ASSASSINATIONS AND ATTACKS ON SOCIAL LEADERS
Four social activists were killed between 1 and 7 March in Colombia. Is this a post-conflict situation?
· Marisela Tombe campesino leader, Cauca
· Alexander Oime indigenous leader, Cauca
· Klaus Zapata youth organiser, JUCO Soacha
· William Castillo campesino leader, El Bagre, Antioquia
There were 682 documented attacks on human rights defenders in 2015. 63 of the defenders were assassinated. These attacks and assassinations have been increasing once again. The violations are occurring despite the suspension of armed hostilities between the state’s forces and the guerrillas. This indicates that the state’s paramilitary strategy is still in operation. verdadabierta.com
GENERAL STRIKE IN COLOMBIA!
4pm – 5.30pm 17 March Picket of Colombian Embassy
3 Hans Crescent, London SW3 (back of Harrods)
Nearest tube Knightsbridge
Called by: Colombia Solidarity Campaign, Congreso de los Pueblos, Marcha Patriótica, Movimiento Jaguar Despierto
WE DEMAND BETTER LABOUR CONDITIONS FOR SUB-CONTRACTORS; WE DEMAND THE RIGHT TO DECENT HEALTH; HOW MUCH MORE DO WE HAVE TO DO TO GET A DECENT SALARY?
The three main union federations and many social organisations have called a general strike in Colombia on 17 March against the policies of the Santos government. The unions’ demands include:
· A decent increase in the minimum wage
· No to cuts in pension and health provisions
· Freeze prices of essential products
· Opposition to privatisation of major state asset, Isagen hydroelectric company
· That the government implements the agreement it made with farmer and indigenous organisations.
The social organisations and trade unions repeated their support for the peace talks taking place between the government and the guerrilla groups (FARC and ELN), but they insist that the government has to adopt political, social and economic measures to alleviate the crisis facing ordinary Colombians.
CERREJON WORKERS ON STRIKE
Workers at Carbones del Cerrejón Limited (*) have voted over 98% in favor of the general strike. The workers’ union Sintracarbón states "It has not been the intention of the union to strike, we were confident that the company would understand the just demands of the workers and give a particular procedure and appropriate solution".
The workers’ problems are serious. Their most difficult issue is health. 900 of the mine’s 13,000 workers suffer from illnesses caused by mining activity. They have diseases such as cancer and silicosis, presented mostly by people under 40 years. Neither the company nor the Guajira department can treat due to lack of specialized health centers. The corporation denies the existence of such health problems. Another issue is increasing workload this year without corresponding wage increase.
Cerrejon’s bosses have sought to deny workers participation in trade union activities, directly affecting the stability of Sintracarbón. This goes against Article 39 of the Constitution of Colombia which enshrines freedom of association workers in unions without state intervention.
The environmental problem facing the population in La Guajira is another union demand. Most rivers in the department are dry because of mining . The workers have called for measures to protect the environment and restore water sources.
Source: Colombia Informa(*) El Cerrejón is jointly owned by BHP Billiton, Anglo American and Glencore. These three companies are either headquartered in London or are listed on the UK stock exchange.
We condemn the assassination of indigenous activist Berta Cáceres in Honduras, and demand security for witness Gustavo Castro Soto More info at http://movimientom4.org
MORE ASSASSINATIONS AND ATTACKS ON SOCIAL LEADERS
Four social activists were killed between 1 and 7 March in Colombia. Is this a post-conflict situation?
· Marisela Tombe campesino leader, Cauca
· Alexander Oime indigenous leader, Cauca
· Klaus Zapata youth organiser, JUCO Soacha
· William Castillo campesino leader, El Bagre, Antioquia
There were 682 documented attacks on human rights defenders in 2015. 63 of the defenders were assassinated. These attacks and assassinations have been increasing once again. The violations are occurring despite the suspension of armed hostilities between the state’s forces and the guerrillas. This indicates that the state’s paramilitary strategy is still in operation. verdadabierta.com
| Colombia Solidarity Campaign PO Box Colombia Solidarity London WC1N 3XX Email: info@colombiasolidarity.org.uk |
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