Unilever Violates the Rights of Chilean Workers
The National Federation of
Trade Unions of Unilever Chile (FENASIUN) with the support of the Unitary
Workers' Central (CUT) and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA),
accuse British-Dutch corporation Unilever of violationg
the rights of Chilean workers through its anti-unionist policies, by failing to
provide them with information about the closing down of its factories and by
preventing the workers to make the company's decisions public.
Unilever is world leader in
the production, distribution and commercialization of food, personal care and
cleaning products.
In 2000, the company began a reestructuring process worldwide, including the outsourcing
of production, delocalization and flexibilization of
work. In 2007, Unilever announced the closing down of 50 factories and the
reduction of over 20,000 jobs by 2009.
In
When
The lawsuit argued that
several points of the Guidelines were being violated, including giving the
workers periodical and true information about the planned changes and trade
union freedom. The company was also accused of preventing the workers' right to
communicate the company's decision to the public opinion. Also, Unilever told a
small group of employees from the affected sections that they would not be
fired if they opposed to the actions of the trade union.
The transnational
corporation has consistently avoided any attempt to reach an agreement with the
National Federation of Trade Unions. At the beginning of 2008, there is an
alarming lack of response from the local management of the company to the workers'
organizations, the Chilean state and the community. This leaves the workers
clueless as to the company's future decisions.
Key issues: Agroalimentation
Denouncing
organizations: National Federation of Trade Unions of Unilever Chile (FENASIUN) with
the support of the Unitary Workers' Central (CUT) and the Trade Union
Confederation of the Americas (TUCA).