2016 ITUC Global Rights Index - Guatemala
| Publisher | International Trade Union Confederation |
| Publication Date | 9 June 2016 |
| Cite as | International Trade Union Confederation, 2016 ITUC Global Rights Index - Guatemala, 9 June 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5799aa709.html [accessed 23 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Anti-union dismissals in Purulhá: On 17 Februay 2016, following the arrival of the new mayor, Sebastián Castro García, the municipal authorities of Purulhá, in the Baja Verpaz department, proceeded to unfairly dismiss 106 workers, including members of the union and its Executive Board, ignoring the legal protection covering union leaders.
Anti-union dismissals in San Rafael: On 12 February 2016, following the arrival of the new mayor, Carlos Alfonso Mazariegos Ramírez, the municipal authorities of San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta in the San Marcos department unfairly dismissed 15 workers, including the union's Social Welfare Secretary.
Anti-union dismissals at Palo Gordo sugar mill: The Palo Gordo sugar mill in Guatemala has launched a series of selective dismissals targeting unionised workers, undermining the trade union organisation and the collective bargaining agreement. The dismissals were staged as follows: 10 workers were dismissed on 28 February 2015, 10 more on 15 October 2015, another five on 6 November 2015 and 10 more on 20 November 2015. Membership of the trade union at the company, the Sindicato de Trabajadores del Ingenio Palo Gordo, fell from 283 to just 203 in November 2015. The company is waging a campaign to stop workers from joining the union and has set up a subdivision to block trade union action.
Trade unionist from Japala assassinated: On 24 September 2015, trade unionist Mynor Rolando Ramos Castillo, a member of the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Municipalidad de Jalapa (SITRAMJ), was murdered. The municipal worker had been dismissed on account of his trade union activities and took part in the mobilisations to press the Mayor of Jalapa, Elmer Leónidas Guerra, to comply with the labour court ruling ordering the reinstatement of unfairly dismissed workers.
