Buenos Aires, March 12 (NA) – The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) expressed its concern to the government about possible sanctions against transport unions and demanded to "respect trade union freedom". The ITF's request was sent via a formal letter to the government of President Javier Milei and to the Minister of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovello, to propose a "constructive dialogue". What did the ITF express in the communiqué sent to Milei and Pettovello? The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) sent a formal letter to President Javier Milei and Pettovello expressing its concern about possible sanctions against the unions La Fraternidad and Unión Tranviarios Automotor (UTA) for their participation in the national strike called on February 19 by the CGT. Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary, warned that the organization is "particularly concerned by reports that economic sanctions could be imposed on both organizations merely for exercising their legitimate right to take industrial action". In the document signed by Cotton, the international trade union organization representing 16.5 million transport workers affiliated to more than 700 unions in 150 countries expressed its concern at the announcement by the Ministry of Human Capital of the opening of administrative investigations against both union organizations. Thus, the unionist recalled that the right of workers to organize and participate in collective action is part of the fundamental principles of trade union freedom recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and that Argentina ratified Convention 87 on freedom of association and protection of the right to organize in 1960, a norm that remains in force and is binding for the country. These principles, he detailed, are also incorporated into Argentine legislation. Thus, he pointed to the "extremely worrying precedent" that these actions would set in terms of the protection of trade union rights and democratic freedoms. In this way, the ITF made a direct call "on the Ministry to refrain from imposing sanctions against these or other trade union organizations for exercising their legitimate rights and to fully respect the genuine role of trade unions in defending the interests of their members". The letter specifically mentions Article 14 bis of the National Constitution, which guarantees the right of workers to organize and participate in collective actions, as well as Law 23.551 on Trade Union Associations, which regulates the functioning of trade organizations in the country. In this context, the International Federation warned that sanctioning organizations for participating in legitimate industrial action "puts Argentina at risk of failing to meet its obligations under international labor law" and, at the same time, undermines the constitutional and statutory guarantees that protect trade union freedom within the legal system itself.
