Case No 2254 (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)) - Complaint date: 17-MAR-03

The International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Manufacturers’ Associations (FEDECAMARAS)

Allegations

The complainant organizations have presented the following allegations: the marginalization and exclusion of employers’ associations in the decision-making process, excluding them from social dialogue, tripartism and the implementation of consultations in general (particularly in relation to the very important legislation that directly affects employers), thereby not complying with the recommendations of the Committee on Freedom of Association; action and interference by the Government to encourage the development of and to promote a new employers’ organization in the agricultural and livestock sector to the detriment of FEDENGA, the most representative organization in the sector; the arrest of Carlos Fernández on 19 February 2003 in retaliation for his activities as president of FEDECAMARAS, without a legal warrant and without the guarantees of due process; according to the complainant organizations he was badly treated and insulted by violent groups headed by a government deputy; the physical, economic and moral harassment, including threats and attacks, of the Venezuelan employers and their officials by the authorities or people close to the Government (various cases are listed); the operation of violent paramilitary groups with governmental support, with action against the facilities of an employers’ organization and against demonstration activities by FEDECAMARAS; the creation of an atmosphere hostile to employers in order to allow the authorities (and on occasion to encourage them in) the dispossession and occupation of farms in full production, in violation with the Constitution and legislation and without following legal procedures; the complainant organizations refer to 180 cases of illegal invasions of productive land and indicate that most of these cases have not been resolved by the relevant authorities; the application of an exchange control system decided unilaterally by the authorities, discriminating against companies belonging to FEDECAMARAS in administrative authorization for the purchase of for

Case No 2254 (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)) - Complaint date: 17-MAR-03

The International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Manufacturers’ Associations (FEDECAMARAS)

Allegations

Examination Actions