A call for international support for the Nicaraguan workers' demand for the right to organize unions in the Free Trade Zones. After a protracted struggle, a union formed at Fortex achieved legal recognition in Dec. 1996. The signing of the first Collective Bargaining agreement with a foreign company in the Zone was seen as a major victory. Velcas International started operations in the Free Trade Zone in 1991, but soon went into receivership. The bank that ran the company has not met its legal obligations to the workers.
Workers allege verbal, physical and sexual abuse by supervisors.
In their place have arisen workers committees, promoted by a local Maria Elena Cuadra women's movement, now represent around 4,500 women, and emphasizes women's rights, a code of ethics, and non-confrontattional negotiation rather than strikes. Workers in Fortex began their efforts to form a union three years ago, as a response to the injustices and exploitation in their workplace. In a factory with frequent verbal abuse from supervisors, forced overtime, and wages sometimes as low as 95 cents a day, workers realized their only hope was to organize a union and stand up to management. Workers at the Taiwanese-owned Chih Hsing factory in Nicaragua's Las Mercedes Free Trade Zone have asked for international support in their struggle to organize a union in the factory. Workers are demanding the reinstatement of fired union officers and recognition of their freedom to organize.