According to number of cases filed with Venezuelan courts against workers who staged demonstrations, most of the cases of criminalization of labor protests involve Petróleos de Venezuela and Sidor.

The legal proceedings in Petróleos de Venezuela affect 27 workers of operational areas in the Eastern and Western regions of the country, as well as some workers of the Gas Division, Petropiar, El Palito refinery and Gas Comunal. The 6 workers who were recently arrested in Gas Comunal have been charged with boycott, a crime provided for under the Law on Access to Goods and Services, and which involves a prison sentence of 6 to 10 years.

In Sidor, 25 workers were indicted and have to appear in court weekly, fortnightly or monthly pending trial for having participated in protests to seek better labor conditions.

The Venezuelan courts have filed 91 cases against workers, most of them union leaders.

Meanwhile, the Organic Law on the Security of the Nation establishes a prison term of up to 10 years for people involved in demonstrations near virtually all government offices, basic industries, military garrisons or any places where protests may disturb public services.

The Law on Access to Goods and Services prohibits boycotts. According to the law, a boycott is an action carried out by a group of people who directly or indirectly prevent the production, importation, gathering, transportation, distribution or marketing of goods that are considered essential.

International Labor Organization is deeply concerned about labor discrimination for political reasons in the public administration, in addition to state companies and organizations.

(Sourced from www.eluniversal.com)