IndustriALL affiliate the Paper workers’ union Sindicato de Obreros y Empleados Papeleros (SOEP) in the province of Misiones is currently demanding the reinstatement of over 20 workers dismissed from the Arauco cellulose plant. The SOEP is affiliated to the Energy, Industry, Services and Associated Workers’ Federation (Federación de Trabajadores de la Energía, Industria, Servicios y Afines – FeTIA), an affiliate of IndustriALL Global Union. It is also calling for better working conditions, insisting on the lack of health and safety at the plant.
The workers decided to protest following the company’s decision to dismiss more than 20 employees. The company responded by ordering the arrest of 11 workers exercising their right to strike. Although they were released hours later, the general secretary of the FeTIA, Pedro Wasiejko, commented that it was the kind of “unjust and illegitimate practice typical of this employer”.
The union decided to step up the protest to press the company to reinstate the dismissed workers. The Labour Ministry has ordered compulsory arbitration and has committed to taking every step to mediate the reinstatement of those dismissed.
The Labour Ministry also confirmed the “lack of health and safety” in twelve parts of the former Alto Paraná cellulose plant in the city of Puerto Esperanza. The workers have been calling for the application of the health and safety law for months.
Jorge Almeida, IndustriALL Regional Secretary, says:
IndustriALL supports the organisation’s demands and is ready to offer all the backing required to find a solution to the dispute.