This has meant a major step backward in working conditions, since she is applying a repressive policy against workers. She has changed working conditions and carried out collective dismissals which violate the human rights and worker rights set out in the Collective Agreement on Working Conditions, the Labour Code and ILO Conventions C87 and C98 on freedom of association, the right to organise and collective bargaining.

According to reports received by ITUC, labour/management relations used to be normal at the General Property Registry, with a few industrial disputes that were resolved through dialogue. That situation changed radically with the arrival of Mrs de León, who launched a campaign of persecution, psychological threats and smears against workers and the union.

“This situation involving the violation of human rights within a public body is totally unacceptable and we are calling on the new President to take the necessary steps to stop such violations in Guatemala” stressed ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

In a letter sent to the Guatemalan authorities, the ITUC urges President Pérez Molina to take the necessary steps to put a stop to the constant violations of human, labour and trade union rights and to have Anabella de León adopt a respectful attitude towards her employees. The Minister for Work was asked to initiate an open dialogue between the parties in order to restore peaceful industrial relations at the General Property Register.