Vanguard (Lagos, Nigeria)
The International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) has expressed concerns over rising cases of attacks, killings and victimisation of unionists in Cambodia, Colombia and the Philippines, even as its Governing Body has approved the 346th and 347th Reports of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association.
At its June meeting, the Committee examined 30 cases. Altogether there are currently 121 cases before the Committee and drawing special attention to the cases of Cambodia, Colombia and the Philippines because of their serious and urgent nature.
In the case of Cambodia, the Committee reached interim conclusions for the third time. It concerns the murder of trade union leader, Chea Vichea, President of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), Ros Sovannareth, a steering committee member of the FTUWKC, and, more recently, Hy Vuthy, leader of the FTUWKC in the Suntex garment factory as well as serious allegations of continuing repression of trade unionists.
The Committee strongly urged the Government to take measures in order to reopen the investigation into the murder of Mr. Vichea and to institute immediately independent judicial inquiries into the murders of Ros Sovannareth and Hy Vuthy. In the absence of any significant efforts on the part of the Government to thoroughly investigate the above matters in a transparent, independent and impartial manner, the Committee strongly suggested that the Government accepts an ILO expert mission to carry out an investigation and thus assist the Government in redressing any violations of trade union rights.
The case of Colombia concerns acts of anti-union pressure and discrimination in the University of Córdoba, including threats by the vice-chancellor of the University and paramilitary commanders of the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) to persuade the National Trade Union of University Workers of Colombia to renegotiate the collective agreement in force. In its interim conclusions, the Committee said that this was contrary to the principles of voluntary collective bargaining and the autonomy of the bargaining partners.
The Committee strongly urged the Government to take measures immediately to guarantee the safety of the threatened trade union officials and to have a truly independent investigation carried out without delay by a person who enjoys the confidence of both parties and, if these allegations are found to be true, to take the necessary measures to punish those responsible.
In the case of the Philippines, the Committee reached interim conclusions on allegations of killings, grave threats, continuous harassment and intimidation and other forms of violence inflicted on leaders, members, organizers, union supporters/labour advocates of trade unions and informal workers’ organizations. The Committee deplored the gravity of the allegations made in this case and the fact that more than a decade after the filing of the last complaint on similar allegations, inadequate progress has been made by the Government with regard to putting an end to killings, abductions, disappearances and other serious human rights violations.
The Committee requested the Government to keep it informed of the progress of the investigation to be carried out by a special joint fact-finding body concerning the killings of trade union leaders and members; to establish an independent judicial inquiry and proceedings before the competent courts as soon as possible with regard to the allegations of abductions and disappearances of trade union leaders; to ensure full implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Commission to Address Media and Activist Killings (Melo Commission).
Other cases of attacks on unionists
It also requested the Government to give adequate instructions to the law enforcement authorities so as to eliminate the danger entailed by the use of excessive violence when controlling demonstrations. The Committee also dealt with two cases concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran and one case concerning the Republic of Korea.
The first longstanding case in the Islamic Republic of Iran concerned among others allegations of violent police repression of strikes, protests and the May Day 2004 rally in Saqez and the adoption of legislation that would restrict the trade union rights of a large number of workers.
At its June meeting, the Committee examined 30 cases. Altogether there are currently 121 cases before the Committee and drawing special attention to the cases of Cambodia, Colombia and the Philippines because of their serious and urgent nature.
In the case of Cambodia, the Committee reached interim conclusions for the third time. It concerns the murder of trade union leader, Chea Vichea, President of the Free Trade Union of the Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), Ros Sovannareth, a steering committee member of the FTUWKC, and, more recently, Hy Vuthy, leader of the FTUWKC in the Suntex garment factory as well as serious allegations of continuing repression of trade unionists.
The Committee strongly urged the Government to take measures in order to reopen the investigation into the murder of Mr. Vichea and to institute immediately independent judicial inquiries into the murders of Ros Sovannareth and Hy Vuthy. In the absence of any significant efforts on the part of the Government to thoroughly investigate the above matters in a transparent, independent and impartial manner, the Committee strongly suggested that the Government accepts an ILO expert mission to carry out an investigation and thus assist the Government in redressing any violations of trade union rights.
The case of Colombia concerns acts of anti-union pressure and discrimination in the University of Córdoba, including threats by the vice-chancellor of the University and paramilitary commanders of the United Self-Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) to persuade the National Trade Union of University Workers of Colombia to renegotiate the collective agreement in force. In its interim conclusions, the Committee said that this was contrary to the principles of voluntary collective bargaining and the autonomy of the bargaining partners.
The Committee strongly urged the Government to take measures immediately to guarantee the safety of the threatened trade union officials and to have a truly independent investigation carried out without delay by a person who enjoys the confidence of both parties and, if these allegations are found to be true, to take the necessary measures to punish those responsible.
In the case of the Philippines, the Committee reached interim conclusions on allegations of killings, grave threats, continuous harassment and intimidation and other forms of violence inflicted on leaders, members, organizers, union supporters/labour advocates of trade unions and informal workers’ organizations. The Committee deplored the gravity of the allegations made in this case and the fact that more than a decade after the filing of the last complaint on similar allegations, inadequate progress has been made by the Government with regard to putting an end to killings, abductions, disappearances and other serious human rights violations.
The Committee requested the Government to keep it informed of the progress of the investigation to be carried out by a special joint fact-finding body concerning the killings of trade union leaders and members; to establish an independent judicial inquiry and proceedings before the competent courts as soon as possible with regard to the allegations of abductions and disappearances of trade union leaders; to ensure full implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Commission to Address Media and Activist Killings (Melo Commission).
Other cases of attacks on unionists
It also requested the Government to give adequate instructions to the law enforcement authorities so as to eliminate the danger entailed by the use of excessive violence when controlling demonstrations. The Committee also dealt with two cases concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran and one case concerning the Republic of Korea.
The first longstanding case in the Islamic Republic of Iran concerned among others allegations of violent police repression of strikes, protests and the May Day 2004 rally in Saqez and the adoption of legislation that would restrict the trade union rights of a large number of workers.
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