COLOMBIA/ITALY: The International Metalworkers' Federation was shocked and distressed to learn that three Italian metalworkers, who are highly-skilled technicians for chocolate-processing machinery, were taken hostage in Colombia last week by an unnamed guerrilla group. So far, the IMF has no information concerning possible ransom or other demands by this group.
The surnames of the three men are Bocchiola, Cellario and Izzia. Two of them work for a Milan-based company called Carli e Montanara and belong to the FIOM/CGIL metalworkers' trade union, a member of the IMF-affiliated Italian metalworkers' federation FLM, and the third is an independent worker.
The IMF is informing all its affiliates of the situation in Colombia and advising them to consider the high risks involved when going there.