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Guatemala: A worker's group called "Solidarismo," including the attitude of the Guatemala authorities in its regard, its relationship with unions and whether its relationship with unions would be characterized as one of cooperation or competition (1993 to present)

The Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights 1994 states that  "solidarity" associations, known in Spanish as solidarismos, have gained momentum in Guatemala since 1989 (1995, 42). According to this source, between 1989 and 1992, about 120 solidarist associations were created, in comparison to the creation of only 30 trade unions for the same period. From 1992 to 1994, an additional 400 solidarist associations were created, over half of them in the farming sector. In reference to the solidarist association, the same source states that "anti-union repression has been a major factor in its success."

The Arizona Republic reported in November 1993 that "solidarismo is a painless way to privatize social security (and has the advantage of avoiding a huge unfunded debt). It is an idea that peacefully broadens property ownership as a natural byproduct of employment" (7 Nov. 1993). The report added that solidarist associations were on the rise throughout Central America and that the American Federation of Labor (AFL) opposed them because they "curb collective bargaining, are company unions, and limit the forceful presentation of workers." Please consult the attached article for additional information on the solidarismo movement in Central America.

Country Reports 1997 states that solidarity associations represent about 167,000 members in 437 companies (1998, 536). Solidarity associations and unions may operate in the same workplace and employees may belong to one or the other, or both (ibid.). According to Country Reports 1997, the government perceives these associations as civic organizations that need not interfere with trade union activity. However, some unions claim that solidarity associations are set up by management of companies as a way to compete with existing trade unions or to quash attempts of workers to form new unions (ibid.). Some reports indicate that solidarity associations have not always been established with democratic principles in mind and that workers have been excluded from decision-making (ibid.).

In a 18 November 1998 telephone interview, an executive member and member of the International Relations Committee of the Unión de Sindicatos de Trabajadores de Guatemala (UNSITRAGUA), one of the country's largest unions, stated that solidarity associations are recognized by the government which considers these associations as  alternatives to trade unions. The executive member added that solidarist associations are part of the government's anti-union policy. According to the member, one of the main problems with these associations is that they have no legal framework given that Guatemala's laws, as well as international labour laws, recognize only unions as  instruments to defend workers' rights. Furthermore, solidarity associations are mostly set-up and controlled by the businesses themselves and therefore, have no independence from the employer. These associations cannot engage in collective bargaining with their employees and were established to weaken the union movement in general. In practical terms, there is not much of a relationship between solidarity associations and unions. The member added that most unions perceive these associations as non-valid entities because they were not set up by the workers themselves, but rather the employers imposed them on the workers.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

The Arizona Republic. 7 November 1993. Stefan Halper. "Costa Rica Bears a New Market Force." (NEXIS)

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997. 1998. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

International Confederation of Free Trade Unions. 1995. Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights 1994. Brussels: ICFTU.

Unión de Sindicatos de Trabajadores de Guatemala (UNSITRAGUA), Guatemala City. 18 November 1998. Telephone interview with an executive member and member of the International Relations Committtee.

Attachment

The Arizona Republic. 7 November 1993. Stefan Halper. "Costa Rica Bears a New Market Force." (NEXIS)