Solidarity Center News: Colombian Unionist Murdered, Maldives Workers Face Crackdown on Rights

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)The recent murder of a trade unionist active in the sugarcane fields in Colombia’s Cauca River Valley comes just days after cane workers staged rallies to protest the firing of more than 100 workers at two sugar plantations in the area. Colombia remains the deadliest country for union leaders and members. In 2012, 19 trade unionists were murdered, according to the Colombian non-governmental organization, Escuela Nacional Sindical. Across the globe in the Maldives, port workers, service employees and others are facing a government crackdown on their democratic right to freely assemble and form unions. Read more at the Solidarity Center. - photo: demonstration in the Maldives courtesy Solidarity Center