SUGAR CANE WORKERS STRIKE FOR WAGES AND RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 003629 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2008 TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL ECON SOCI CO SUBJECT: SUGAR CANE WORKERS STRIKE FOR WAGES AND RIGHTS REF: BOGOTA 2926 Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer For Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Over 10,000 sugar cane cutters (corteros) began a strike in Valle del Cauca on September 15, demanding that the sugar mills end their use of worker cooperatives and contractors. The corteros charged that the cooperatives undercut their wages and right to organize. The mill owners refused to talk directly with the strikers, noting that the workers should deal with the cooperative's management. Some labor leaders criticized the unions and the Polo Democratico party for engaging in political posturing over the strike rather than promoting negotiations aimed at achieving practical gains for the workers. President Uribe and other GOC officials say the FARC is behind the strike. Uribe met with the strikers on September 28 in an unsuccessful effort to get talks started. Negotiations have been further complicated by clashes between riot police and the strikers. End Summary -------------- WORKERS WANT DIRECT-HIRE JOBS -------------- ¶2. (C) Over 10,000 sugar cane workers (corteros) in the Valle del Cauca department began a strike on September 15 denouncing the sugar mills' alleged use of worker cooperatives and contractors to limit organized labor and lower benefits and salaries. Amcham Executive Director Ana Lucia Jaramillo defended the companies' use of cooperatives, but conceded they were set up to lower labor costs and discourage union organization. Departmental Secretary of Government Tanya Gutierrez called the corteros' working conditions "almost slave-like." The ENS (National Union School) Director Luciano Sanin told us of the 35,000 sugar industry jobs, 30% are direct employees, 35% are cooperatives, and the rest are contractors or sub-contractors. ¶3. (C) Sinalcorteros (National Union of Sugar Cane Cutters) wants to negotiate a sector-wide agreement to provide more direct-hire jobs with Asocana, the association that represents all 13 of the large sugar cane producers in Colombia. Asocana told us they refused, saying they are not an employer. Ministry of Social Protection (MSP) Legal Advisor Ramiro Correa told us Colombia's labor code, as opposed to ILO conventions, only allows for direct employee-employer salary negotiations (see septel). The MSP sent a letter to Asocana confirming that negotiating with the corteros was not mandatory, noting that the strike is illegal because cooperative workers cannot form unions, as they are technically co-owners, not workers. ¶4. (C) CUT President Mora said some corteros are paid in bonds for the plantation's commissary store. Valle del Cauca CUT Executive and founder Amaya told us this is a voluntary program that gives workers an additional benefit--access to the discounted commissary store. Amaya told us that 100 of the 120 sugar cane cutter cooperatives work as they should--the workers themselves decide how to use the profits of the cooperative. In the remaining 20 cooperatives, the leadership is corrupt and pockets any cooperative profits. The International Union Confederation (CSI) released a statement supporting the corteros. All three Colombian labor confederations joined the CSI earlier this year (see reftel). -------------- A POLITICAL TOOL FOR THE FAR-LEFT? -------------- ¶5. (C) Jaramillo attributed the strikes to guerrilla penetration of the unions as well as ideological radicals. Former Valle Governor and Labor Minister Angelino Garzon criticized the unions and the Polo for engaging in political posturing over the strike rather than trying to negotiate practical gains for the workers. Amaya claimed Polo Democratico Senator Alessandro Lopez is behind the strikes, using funds provided by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and who funneled the money through Senator Piedad Cordoba. He said the so-called "Lopez funds" are funding travel, organizational materials, public affairs efforts, and food for strike leaders. Minister of Social Protection Diego Palacio said that "delinquents with an ulterior agenda" are behind the strikes. President Uribe said he supports the corteros' right to protest working conditions, but added that FARC infiltration of the strikes is "unacceptable." -------------- LABOR CONFLICT NOT NEW -------------- ¶6. (C) Garzon said the plantations represent one of Colombia's more backward sectors in terms of labor relations, but noted that some plantation owners are more open to negotiations than others. ENS Sanin said the strikers made the same demands during a 3-week strike in 2005, indicating the companies had not addressed the workers' concerns. CUT President Mora told us both the strikers and the plantation owners are "digging in their heels" and believed the strike would likely last for at least a month. -------------- GOC RESPONSE -------------- ¶7. (C) The GOC is trying to start a dialogue between the mill owners and the corteros--President Uribe met with the corteros on September 28 without success. The CUT sent a complaint to the Minister of Social Protection protesting the use of the riot police against the strikers. Mora said GOC comments linking the strike to the FARC, as well riot police's actions, have complicated negotiations. Vice Presidential Human Rights Program Director Carlos Franco told us the riot police intervened only to open blocked roads to allow access to the workplace for non-striking workers. ENS Sanin told us there is a "tense calm" in the negotiations, but noted the strikes are likely to continue for some time. BROWNFIELD