«Il n‘y a pas un monde développé et un monde sous-développé, mais un seul monde mal développé»
PRESS RELEASE
Vevey, Bogotá, 17 June 2026
On Tuesday 16 June 2026, representatives from SINALTRAINAL, the Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples’ Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity, Stop Pillage, Colectivo Jaguar, CETIM, Décroissance Alternative, Ensemble à Gauche Vaud and Les Vagues de la révolte staged a symbolic solidarity action outside Nestlé’s headquarters in Switzerland, to support the complaints lodged by the Colombian trade union Sinaltrainal and to highlight the labour rights violations that continue to affect the company’s workers in Colombia.
The event took place as part of a visit to Switzerland by representatives of Sinaltrainal (National Union of Workers in the Agri-Food System), who are carrying out advocacy work with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The union represents more than 5,000 members and around 1,800 Nestlé workers at four plants across the country, and denounces what it describes as a veritable ‘labour massacre’ driven by the corporation’s policies.
The participating organisations expressed their concern over the practices denounced by Sinaltrainal, which include unfair dismissals, anti-union persecution, deteriorating working conditions and systematic violations of labour rights. They also denounced the lack of effective mechanisms to hold the parent companies of transnational corporations accountable for the impacts of their activities in other countries.
A system of intimidation and rights violations
During the action, it was noted that, according to the union’s allegations, Nestlé has for decades pursued policies aimed at weakening trade union organisation and eroding rights secured through collective bargaining.
The organisations showing solidarity also pointed out that these practices contravene fundamental principles of Colombian labour law and international ILO conventions, particularly regarding freedom of association and the protection of workers.
Remembrance, truth and justice
The event also paid tribute to the workers and trade union leaders who have fallen victim to anti-union violence in Colombia. Since the founding of Sinaltrainal in 1982, eleven workers or former workers linked to Nestlé have been murdered. The participants emphasised the need to ensure that these crimes do not go unpunished and that genuine protection is guaranteed for those engaged in trade union activities.
They also highlighted Switzerland’s responsibility as Nestlé’s host country and the need to move towards binding international mechanisms that enable transnational corporations to be held to account for human rights and labour rights violations committed throughout their value chains.
Demands
The participating organisations reiterate the following demands:
1. The immediate reversal of the unfair dismissals reported by Sinaltrainal.
2. The implementation of effective protection measures for trade union leaders under threat.
3. The launch of independent investigations into the murders of workers and former workers linked to Nestlé in Colombia.
4. An end to all practices of trade union persecution and violations of labour rights.
5. The adoption of a binding United Nations treaty on transnational corporations and human rights, guaranteeing effective mechanisms for prevention, sanctions and redress.
The protest outside Nestlé’s headquarters was an expression of internationalist solidarity with the struggles of Colombian workers and of workers’ internationalism. It was also a call for human and labour rights to take precedence over the economic interests of transnational corporations and financial capital.
It is important to highlight that, parallel to the action carried out in Vevey, several simultaneous protests took place outside Nestlé factories in Colombia, during which company executives harassed protesters, interfering with the exercise of their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association. It is important to highlight that, parallel to the action carried out in Vevey, several simultaneous protests took place outside Nestlé factories in Colombia, during which company executives harassed protesters, interfering with the exercise of their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.
Enough of impunity! Nestlé must be held to account!
Solidarity with the affected workers!
