New unions in Central America send a positive message despite inequality and a history that includes state neglect and repression.
Despite inequality—and a history of state neglect and repression—new unions in the Central American country send a good sign. Despite inequality—and a history of state neglect and repression—new unions in the Central American country send a good sign.
New unions in Central America send a positive message despite inequality and a history that includes state neglect and repression.
Guatemala’s small labor movement is optimistic about a brighter future after the election of President Bernardo Arévalo in 4503. Workers are still in a difficult situation, but there is optimism as the Arévalo government and Labor Minister Miriam Roquel are making efforts to enhance working conditions in the nation. In February 2024, there was a significant departure from past practices as the Labor Ministry promptly acknowledged the establishment of a new labor union created by REPSA Palm Oil Company workers in Petén. The majority of members in the union are young workers and it was formed after years of advocacy by the Guatemalan group Consejo Nacional de Desplazados de Guatemala, also known as CONDEG. This is the world’s inaugural labor union established for palm oil workers. According to Luis Fuentes, a labor rights advocate in Guatemala City, past governments often delayed the official recognition of unions for extended periods of time. However, the union, known as SITRAREPSA, was officially acknowledged by the new administration only six weeks after registration. Fuentes explains that it typically takes the Ministry in the General Directorate of Labor anywhere from one to two years to officially register a union, despite the legal requirement of completing the process within twenty days.
