Protest letter to Costa Rican embassy.

HE Ms Pilar Saborio De Rocafort
Ambassador
Embassy of Costa Rica
14 Lancaster Gate
London
W2 3LH

your ref

date: 28 January 2010

Dear Ambassador

Government interference in internal affairs of Trade Union

On behalf of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) representing British workers and the 6.5 million members of our affiliated unions I write to raise our serious concerns relating to government interference in the internal affairs of the SINTRAJAP union which represents employees working at the Port of Limon.

The TUC has been concerned for some time that the Costa Rican government has been in breach of a number of key International Labour Organisation standards, most notably conventions 87 and 98 on the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, respectively.

JAPDEVA the state owned enterprise managing the port unilaterally called a 'workers assembly' on 15 January which nominated a new board with close ties to the government and established a management controlled 'union'. In protest at this action SINTRAJAP members, with the support of the wider Costa Rican union movement, were forced to occupy a number of port facilities. On the 25 January after 5 days they withdrew to avoid the risk of a major confrontation with the police, however the dispute is still ongoing.

The right to form and maintain independent trade unions is a basic human right and must be respected in your country. We would ask that you convey these concerns to your government as a matter of urgency and would welcome the chance to discuss the situation further with yourself or the appropriate officials from your embassy.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary