|
Bolivia’s labor
movement is taking an active role in the reforms furthered by the government of
President Evo Morales, contributing proposals with the aim of achieving real and
significant changes in the working conditions of the country’s labor force. One
of the most urgent reforms is including an outsourcing prohibition in labor
legislation.
Ángel Asturizaga
is executive secretary of the General Confederation of Factory Workers of
Bolivia (CGTFB), an organization that includes the Mixed Union of Workers of
Embotelladoras Bolivianas Unidas SA (Embol - Coca-Cola) among its
members.
The Confederation is,
in turn, a member of the Bolivian Central Federation of Workers (COB).
In the framework of the
8th Regional Meeting of Beverage Unions, organized in Managua,
Nicaragua, by 3F of Denmark and Rel-UITA (IUF Latin
America), the Bolivian labor leader told SIREL that one of the most
important issues for the labor movement right now is the passing of a new
General Work Act.
“It’s going to be one
of the major issues discussed over the coming months. What we’re saying is that
this law must grant the Labor Ministry full enforcement powers. Our demand is
that every resolution issued by the labor authorities must have binding force
for employers,” Asturizaga said.
|
“Outsourcing is a modern form of slavery. We can’t have first-rate
and second-rate workers. That’s unacceptable. All workers must enjoy
the same rights.” |
Among the most pressing
reforms, the executive secretary of CGTFB highlighted the prohibition of
outsourcing by law.
There is a
Supreme Decree
currently in force that prohibits “any and all evasion of labor regulations and
laws, be it through fraud, simulation, or any other means that result in the use
of subcontracted, outsourced, externalized, contractual or other such employment
for a company’s own and regular tasks.”
While this is a major
step forward, we believe that it is not enough. We want to turn the decree’s
provisions into law, by including this prohibition in the new General Labor Act.
Outsourcing is a modern
form of slavery. We can’t have first-rate and second-rate workers. That’s
unacceptable. All workers must enjoy the same rights provided by law,”
Asturizaga said.
The union leader also
highlighted the importance of the work of the Regional Meeting of Beverage
Unions, as well as the need to improve communications and solidarity
exchanges among union organizations.
“Our work plan includes
promoting enhanced integration, communication, and experience sharing with
national unions but also with international organizations that have a long
history of struggle and are highly recognized, such as the IUF and
FELATRAC.”
“I hope that very soon
we can establish a National Inter-Union Body and become the next IUF
affiliates,” Asturizaga concluded.
|
