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C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 003629 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2008 
TAGS: PTER PGOV PREL ECON SOCI CO
SUBJECT: SUGAR CANE WORKERS STRIKE FOR WAGES AND RIGHTS 
 
REF: BOGOTA 2926 
 
Classified By: Political Counselor John S. Creamer 
For Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
-------- 
SUMMARY 
-------- 
¶1.  (C) Over 10,000 sugar cane cutters (corteros) began a 
strike in Valle del Cauca on September 15, demanding that the 
sugar mills end their use of worker cooperatives and 
contractors.  The corteros charged that the cooperatives 
undercut their wages and right to organize.  The mill owners 
refused to talk directly with the strikers, noting that the 
workers should deal with the cooperative's management.  Some 
labor leaders criticized the unions and the Polo Democratico 
party for engaging in political posturing over the strike 
rather than promoting negotiations aimed at achieving 
practical gains for the workers.  President Uribe and other 
GOC officials say the FARC is behind the strike.  Uribe met 
with the strikers on September 28 in an unsuccessful effort 
to get talks started.  Negotiations have been further 
complicated by clashes between riot police and the strikers. 
End Summary 
 
----------------------------- 
WORKERS WANT DIRECT-HIRE JOBS 
----------------------------- 
¶2.  (C) Over 10,000 sugar cane workers (corteros) in the 
Valle del Cauca department began a strike on September 15 
denouncing the sugar mills' alleged use of worker 
cooperatives and contractors to limit organized labor and 
lower benefits and salaries.  Amcham Executive Director Ana 
Lucia Jaramillo defended the companies' use of cooperatives, 
but conceded they were set up to lower labor costs and 
discourage union organization.  Departmental Secretary of 
Government Tanya Gutierrez called the corteros' working 
conditions "almost slave-like."  The ENS (National Union 
School) Director Luciano Sanin told us of the 35,000 sugar 
industry jobs, 30% are direct employees, 35% are 
cooperatives, and the rest are contractors or 
sub-contractors. 
 
¶3.  (C) Sinalcorteros (National Union of Sugar Cane Cutters) 
wants to negotiate a sector-wide agreement to provide more 
direct-hire jobs with Asocana, the association that 
represents all 13 of the large sugar cane producers in 
Colombia.  Asocana told us they refused, saying they are not 
an employer.  Ministry of Social Protection (MSP) Legal 
Advisor Ramiro Correa told us Colombia's labor code, as 
opposed to ILO conventions, only allows for direct 
employee-employer salary negotiations (see septel).  The MSP 
sent a letter to Asocana confirming that negotiating with the 
corteros was not mandatory, noting that the strike is illegal 
because cooperative workers cannot form unions, as they are 
technically co-owners, not workers. 
 
¶4.  (C) CUT President Mora said some corteros are paid in 
bonds for the plantation's commissary store.  Valle del Cauca 
CUT Executive and founder Amaya told us this is a voluntary 
program that gives workers an additional benefit--access to 
the discounted commissary store.  Amaya told us that 100 of 
the 120 sugar cane cutter cooperatives work as they 
should--the workers themselves decide how to use the profits 
of the cooperative.  In the remaining 20 cooperatives, the 
leadership is corrupt and pockets any cooperative profits. 
The International Union Confederation (CSI) released a 
statement supporting the corteros.  All three Colombian labor 
confederations joined the CSI earlier this year (see reftel). 
 
--------------------------------- 
A POLITICAL TOOL FOR THE FAR-LEFT? 
--------------------------------- 
¶5.  (C)  Jaramillo attributed the strikes to guerrilla 
penetration of the unions as well as ideological radicals. 
Former Valle Governor and Labor Minister Angelino Garzon 
criticized the unions and the Polo for engaging in political 
posturing over the strike rather than trying to negotiate 
practical gains for the workers.  Amaya claimed Polo 
Democratico Senator Alessandro Lopez is behind the strikes, 
using funds provided by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and 
who funneled the money through Senator Piedad Cordoba.  He 
said the so-called "Lopez funds" are funding travel, 
organizational materials, public affairs efforts, and food 
for strike leaders.  Minister of Social Protection Diego 
Palacio said that "delinquents with an ulterior agenda" are 
behind the strikes.  President Uribe said he supports the 
corteros' right to protest working conditions, but added that 
FARC infiltration of the strikes is "unacceptable." 
 
---------------------- 
LABOR CONFLICT NOT NEW 
---------------------- 
¶6.  (C)  Garzon said the plantations represent one of 
Colombia's more backward sectors in terms of labor relations, 
but noted that some plantation owners are more open to 
negotiations than others.  ENS Sanin said the strikers made 
the same demands during a 3-week strike in 2005, indicating 
the companies had not addressed the workers' concerns.  CUT 
President Mora told us both the strikers and the plantation 
owners are "digging in their heels" and believed the strike 
would likely last for at least a month. 
 
------------ 
GOC RESPONSE 
------------ 
¶7.  (C) The GOC is trying to start a dialogue between the 
mill owners and the corteros--President Uribe met with the 
corteros on September 28 without success.  The CUT sent a 
complaint to the Minister of Social Protection protesting the 
use of the riot police against the strikers.  Mora said GOC 
comments linking the strike to the FARC, as well riot 
police's actions, have complicated negotiations.  Vice 
Presidential Human Rights Program Director Carlos Franco told 
us the riot police intervened only to open blocked roads to 
allow access to the workplace for non-striking workers.  ENS 
Sanin told us there is a "tense calm" in the negotiations, 
but noted the strikes are likely to continue for some time. 
BROWNFIELD