Panama: Group 4 Securicor sacks protesting workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=182

Panama: Group 4 Securicor sacks protesting workers
Group 4 Securicor is up to its old tricks in Panama. Security workers employed by the company were transferred to a 'new' corporate entity and in the process lost many of the benefits they once enjoyed. When workers protested the company's decision, it responded by firing 40 of the protesters. The workers have sought help from the Panamanian government but so far nothing's changed. Workers are maintaining a peaceful vigil outside Group 4 Securicor office. You can help. Send a message to the country's labour minister.


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Reynaldo Rivera, Minister of Labor
Ministry of Labor and Manpower Development
Panama City, Panama

Dear Mr. Rivera:

I am writing to protest your ministry's failure to act to protect the interests of employees of security giant Group 4 Securicor. When Group 4 Securicor transferred hundreds of workers from one corporate entity to another, many long-term workers lost benefits and seniority. To protest the company's decision, workers conducted a peaceful protest outside their Panama City offices. The company responded by firing 40 of the protesters.

Unfortunately, Group 4 Securicor has a history of this kind of behavior. Only after a lengthy strike and an outpouring of international support, did the company agree to implement a decision by the Indonesia Supreme Court upholding the rights of workers at its subsidiary there.

Please act quickly to rectify this situation. Multi-nationals should not ignore the rights of workers and the laws of countries where they do business. Workers around the globe are watching.