CETIM declarations on the rights of peasants

The property and the distribution of the land have always been major stumbling blocks in Guatemala. They have been the source of many violent conflicts and they have structured the social and ethnical power relations and determined the economic and class stratification in the country. This is consequently reflected in the situation of indigenous daily farm workers, which make up 69% of this agricultural workforce, and of which 74.8% live in poverty. Their working conditions sometimes resemble slavery: the working contracts are oral, days count between 9 and 12 working hours and usually there is little or no right to holidays or weekly rest days. Social security is non existent and death threats are reported for workers who organize themselves in trade unions. The state of Guatemala should take measures to comply with its obligations under the terms of numerous international conventions.