Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GUATEMALA1193
2008-09-19 20:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:
GUATEMALAN LABOR MINISTRY LAUNCHES ANTI-CORRUPTION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHGT #1193 2632029 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 192029Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6129
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001193
SIPDIS
DEPT PASS TO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
DEPT FOR DRL/ILCSR
DOL FOR CROMERO, PCHURCH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV KCRM KJUS PHUM KDEM GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN LABOR MINISTRY LAUNCHES ANTI-CORRUPTION
CAMPAIGN
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001193
SIPDIS
DEPT PASS TO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
DEPT FOR DRL/ILCSR
DOL FOR CROMERO, PCHURCH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV KCRM KJUS PHUM KDEM GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN LABOR MINISTRY LAUNCHES ANTI-CORRUPTION
CAMPAIGN
1. On September 18, the Ministry of Labor officially launched
a public campaign against corruption with the objective of
improving transparency and public services. According to
Minister of Labor Edgar Rodriguez, its primary objective will
be to create a culture of transparency in the area of public
administration, specifically within the Ministry of Labor.
As part of its campaign, the Ministry has installed a hotline
number for the public to report any suspicious or irregular
activities among Ministry employees. It will display posters
bearing the hotline number in the building housing its
central offices and in all its regional offices.
2. Labor Minister Rodriguez noted that on August 8 he
personally filed a complaint with the Attorney General's
Office when an employee of the Labor Inspectorate allegedly
attempted to extort a company owner and his employee instead
of delivering to them a "finiquito de relacion laboral" -- a
document stating that all outstanding labor issues had been
resolved. Rodriguez announced that the goal of the campaign
is "zero corruption" in his Ministry, and called on citizens
to put aside their fears and report all acts of corruption
and irregular activities.
3. Comment: This initiative sets a precedent among
Guatemala's public institutions and hopefully will prompt
other institutions to take similar action to combat internal
corruption and impunity.
McFarland
SIPDIS
DEPT PASS TO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
DEPT FOR DRL/ILCSR
DOL FOR CROMERO, PCHURCH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV KCRM KJUS PHUM KDEM GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN LABOR MINISTRY LAUNCHES ANTI-CORRUPTION
CAMPAIGN
1. On September 18, the Ministry of Labor officially launched
a public campaign against corruption with the objective of
improving transparency and public services. According to
Minister of Labor Edgar Rodriguez, its primary objective will
be to create a culture of transparency in the area of public
administration, specifically within the Ministry of Labor.
As part of its campaign, the Ministry has installed a hotline
number for the public to report any suspicious or irregular
activities among Ministry employees. It will display posters
bearing the hotline number in the building housing its
central offices and in all its regional offices.
2. Labor Minister Rodriguez noted that on August 8 he
personally filed a complaint with the Attorney General's
Office when an employee of the Labor Inspectorate allegedly
attempted to extort a company owner and his employee instead
of delivering to them a "finiquito de relacion laboral" -- a
document stating that all outstanding labor issues had been
resolved. Rodriguez announced that the goal of the campaign
is "zero corruption" in his Ministry, and called on citizens
to put aside their fears and report all acts of corruption
and irregular activities.
3. Comment: This initiative sets a precedent among
Guatemala's public institutions and hopefully will prompt
other institutions to take similar action to combat internal
corruption and impunity.
McFarland