This day marks a tragic anniversary—four years since the AFL-CIO and six Guatemalan unions filed a complaint under DR-CAFTA (the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement)—and still no justice for Guatemalan workers.  Although the case was accepted in 2009, and advanced to the dispute resolution phase in 2011, the Government of Guatemala still refuses to fulfill its most basic governmental function—to enforce its own laws for the protection of its own people.

The Government of Guatemala’s continuing recalcitrance to support and defend workers’ rights to free association, collective bargaining, and even the simple right to be paid for work performed is shameful.  Even worse is the ongoing violent repression of workers brave enough to fight back against the system that has apparently abandoned them.  It is time for the U.S. Government to act to protect workers’ lives and livelihoods—it must proceed to arbitration immediately.  Guatemalan working families have already waited too long for their day in court.

Contact: Josh Goldstein (202) 637-5018