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Take Action: End the death threats against Colombian union representatives

To show solidarity, join the call to demand that Fresenius immediately and unconditionally denounces these and any other threats against its workers and negotiates in good faith with union representatives.

Ottawa (23 Feb. 2022) — Union activists in Colombia and around the world are calling on the German multinational, Fresenius, to denounce threats made to union representatives. Members can show their solidarity by participating in the LabourStart campaign.

Organizers threatened

When employees of Quirónsalud, a Fresenius subsidiary in Colombia, organized trade unions and began negotiations, at least 2 of their elected leaders received death threats. 

Julian Parra and Claudia López are both Quirónsalud workers that received death threats. Claudia reported the threats to local police, and Julian was forced to flee Colombia. Listen to Julian’s testimony in this video.

Colombia is considered one of the most dangerous places for activists and trade unionists. 

Employer must denounce threats

Both Julian and Claudia have asked that the German employer publicly denounce these and all similar threats. Fresenius and Quirónsalud have ignored or denied official requests made in Colombia, Spain, and Germany.

The Fresenius Global Union Alliance, in partnership with UNI Global Union, IndustriALL, and Public Services International, of which NUPGE is an affiliate, has launched a LabourStart campaign.

Join the campaign

To show solidarity, join the call to demand that Fresenius immediately and unconditionally denounces these and any other threats against its workers and negotiates in good faith with union representatives. Instead of being silent, the company should be ensuring good faith negotiations with their employees’ union.

Members can send this message to Fresenius and Quirónsalud management using the online tool.