Call for respect for labour rights in Ecuador in bid to back sacked airline workers

March 21, 2012

Global union federation representatives and members of the Confederation of the Americas (CSA) have signed a joint statement urging the government of Ecuador to ensure that private employers comply with freedom of association and collective bargaining conventions. The move is part of efforts to support members of the ITF-affiliated Sindicato de Trabajadores de Aerolane (SITA); it represents 89 per cent of the 80 workers, including 55 cabin crew, who were sacked by LAN Ecuador airline Aerolane on 25 January.

The company stated that the dismissals were as a result of a company restructuring process and the government’s decision to eliminate the fuel subsidy. Two of the union’s board members were among those dismissed.

In the statement, the GUFs and CSA representatives urged the government of Ecuador to prevent further layoffs. They also demanded the reinstatement of the sacked workers and called for social dialogue between the trade union and Aerolane, with the involvement of the ministry of labour relations. This, they hoped, would lead to agreements to ensure compliance with international conventions.

ITF civil aviation section secretary Gabriel Mocho said: “It seems that workers are paying for the problems between LAN Ecuador and the government with their jobs. They just do not understand that there are families behind each worker sacked. We demand that the company and the government take measures to avoid the dismissal of workers.”