El Salvador: Union Leader Shot Dead

The ITUC has joined its regional organisation TUCA and Salvadorian affiliates CTD (Central de Trabajadores Democráticos de El Salvador) and CATS (Central Autónoma de Trabajadores Salvadoreños) in strongly condemning the assassination of Victoriano Abel Vega, General Secretary of SITRAMSA (Sindicato de trabajadores y Empleados Municipales de la Alacaldía de Santa Ana), an affiliate of CATS.

According to the information received by the ITUC, the trade union leader was murdered on his way to San Salvador where he was to attend a meeting with several other trade unionists in preparation for a complaints procedure regarding the unfair dismissal of several employees of the municipality of Santa Ana in breach of Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Abel Vigo had been issued with death threats in connection with his role as a trade union leader and his denunciation of the dismissals.

“This serious incident threatens the country’s already fragile stability and is an attack on trade union freedom in El Salvador”, said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder. “ILO conventions 87 and 98 were recently ratified by El Salvador and are therefore binding and should be enforced.”

In a letter to the Salvadorian authorities, the ITUC urged President Mauricio Funes to immediately launch an enquiry, to identify and punish with the full force of the law all those responsible for this brutal crime.

The ITUC represents 175 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 311 national affiliates. http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018

Photo: erjkprunczyk