16 September, 2024Union members at Smurfit Kappa Peru have been on strike since 6 September, demanding a living wage.
After failing to reach a satisfactory agreement with the company, the National Union of Smurfit Kappa Peru Workers, part of FETRIMAP, affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union, brought an end to the collective bargaining process on 16 July, saying that the pay rise proposed by the company was ridiculous.
On 24 July, the union held a peaceful protest at the Paramonga headquarters of Smurfit Kappa Peru, a subsidiary of Smurfit Westrock, a world leader in sustainable packaging. Union members told media that their aim was to secure the benefits requested in May, which included a pay rise, so that a better collective bargaining agreement could be signed for the workers.
On 11 August, the union approved an indefinite general strike, which was ruled lawful by the Regional Labour Directorate of Lima Province on 3 September. A day later, the Regional Labour Directorate summoned the parties to an extra-procedural meeting to try and come to an agreement on the union’s claims for 2024 and 2025.
However, Smurfit Kappa Peru failed to attend the meeting, which the union interpreted as a lack of interest in resolving the workers' demands and preventing the strike. As a result, the National Union of Smurfit Kappa Peru Workers went on strike on 6 September.
In a statement, the union says:
“This is a historic day for our colleagues working at Smurfit Westrock Peru. We needed to reach this point, to face our fears and stand up for ourselves – we needed to take action. The company is trying to stoke fear and conflict among our colleagues by spreading lies. Today, we are ready to fight and to show that we’re standing together. We are united in our struggle and our strength. And with our fists raised, we are demanding change in the face of such indifference.”
FETRIMAP's deputy general secretary, Julián Alfaro, says:
“As a union, we reject the company's position that there are ‘no negotiations while there are strikes’. This policy, which was recommended by the law firm Vinatea & Toyama, is exacerbating the labour dispute, both at Smurfit Kappa Peru and in other private companies with unions. But we will continue to lend our support to union members and to provide legal assistance so that their list of demands for 2024 and 2025 can be met.”
The Smurfit Kappa Peru workers’ struggle to defend their labour rights and ensure a living wage has also received support from IndustriALL’s network of Smurfit Kappa workers in Latin America. The regional network has organized campaigns in support of the workers and is following the negotiations closely. The aim is to demonstrate the importance of empowering unions, not only nationally but also regionally and globally.
Says IndustriALL deputy regional secretary, Cristian Alejandro Valerio:
"The company must respect the workers’ right to strike and foster a dialogue in order to respond to the demands of the Smurfit Peru workers and reach an agreement.
"We are concerned about the rise in anti-union practices within the human resources departments of both local and multinational companies. These are encouraged by local law firms and consultants who seek to hinder the industrial dialogue that should naturally take place between employers and workers.”