Written question asked by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 March 2011. It was answered by Lord Hague of Richmond (Conservative) on Wednesday, 23 March 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Venezuela: Trade Unions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the situation of trade unionists in Venezuela.

Answer: Our embassy in Venezuela, together with the EU delegation in Caracas, continue to monitor trade union issues. Trade union issues are also the subject of reports by Venezuelan non-governmental organisations, international human rights organisations and international organisations such as the InterAmerican Commission of Human Rights. Although some organisations have welcomed recent increases in the minimum wage and the high level of job security in Venezuela, some recent reports have expressed concern about threats against trade union leaders, restrictions on freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.

Secondary information