On 28 October, Ecuador’s Minister for Labour Relations ordered the dismissal of more than 3, 000 workers, mainly employed in the public administration and health services. Police and security forces were sent in to ensure the removal of the sacked workers, using physical violence in some cases. The Government has also launched a smear campaign against public employees to try to justify the mass dismissals, calling them ’corrupt and inept’, but not one single charge has been laid against any of the dismissed employees nor has any process been followed to dispute their competence or efficiency at work. Ecuador’s public services are already suffering the impact of the dismissals, with hospitals, in particular, being seriously affected and putting the health of communities at risk. Further dismissals are planned and it is feared that up to 150, 000 public sector workers may lose their jobs. Public Services International (PSI) and its affiliates in Ecuador are calling on the Government to end these unfair and unjustified dismissals and to reinstate those workers who have been sacked.
Letter
Dear Mr President
I am very concerned to hear about the dismissal of thousands of public sector employees in Ecuador, and to learn that thousands more may be dismissed. I understand that no dialogue was held with the workers or their trade unions before the dismissal notices were given. The workers and their families face a miserable future, having dedicated their working lives to serving the people of Ecuador. Further, the dismissals can only have a negative impact on the delivery and quality of public services in Ecuador. In fact many hospitals are already unable to cope with the resulting staff shortages and local populations are paying the price in terms of their health. These dismissals also violate international labour and human rights standards which Ecuador has pledged to uphold. I call on your Government to immediately reinstate the dismissed workers and to refrain from further unfair and unjustified dismissals. I also call on your Government to engage in constructive dialogue with public sector trade unions in Ecuador, so that, together, you can build the quality public services which the people deserve.
To sign and send:
http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=1164