November 8/2001

WORKERS' RIGHTS BEING GROSSLY VIOLATED

Trade union federations like the one grouping the workers in the food, tobacco and alcoholic drinks for one, have registered yet another vigorous protest against the gross violations of rights of workers by employers and the police at large.

Despite claims that workers will be accorded a safety net they are being deprived of their jobs under the over of privatization. Workers have consistently called for the amendment or total revision of Proclamation 42/85 which is detrimental to the interest and rights of workers but the government has refused to heed their demand. When formerly public owned factories are sold off (in most cases to the firms set up by the ruling party itself or to foreigners) numerous workers are just laid off without any concern for their right or welfare. For example, the St. George Beer factory laid off 169 workers and the deplorable condition of the workers pushed one of them to commit suicide. When the Idiget Edible oil factory was returned to the previous owner he laid off 49 workers without any severance pay. The Tena Food Private co ltd owner found out that the workers were getting unionized to collectively sign an agreement with him he just closed the factory and rendered the workers' jobless. When workers protest police intervene backing the owners and employers. And when workers seek judicial redress the courts drag on the cases and do not render decisions on time. The ruling party owns most of the big firms and factories in which the violations of the rights of workers have become routine.

 STOP VIOLATING THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS!

SOCEPP