Mass participation at the World Day for Decent Work in Medellin

About 5 thousand people marched this morning through downtown streets of Medellin to demand better pay and working conditions, respect union rights, guarantee right to health and other basic human rights, these claims are summarized in one sentence: DECENT WORK FOR A DECENT LIFE.

Enthusiastically and peacefully unions, many educators, health institutions, NGOs and community organizations marched in the barrios of Medellín, among others. The march left the teachers' union headquarters in the Boston area, turned down the avenues and the East Beach (where he joined the march from professionals and users of health) and ended at noon at the Administrative Center La Alpujarra.

Medellín march is one among other on October 7 as those in Bogota, Cali, Cartagena, Barranquilla and other capitals, within the framework of the Third World Day for Decent Work driven by international trade union federations , which had 285 events and demonstrations today in the five continents. View information and pictures of these events on the official website of the Day: http://www.wddw.org

Globally, this year the Day was aimed at the promotion of three basic demands for economic recovery: 1) The growth and more jobs instead of austerity measures are essential to overcome the crisis and ending poverty. 2) Quality public services should not be cut. 3) The financial sector has to pay for the damage he has caused.

Carlos Julio Diaz, president of the CUT Antioquia, one of the organizations coordinating the march, expressed his satisfaction with the good public response to the call of the Day, and noted as the demand for better working conditions contrasts with the dismissal of 1,200 workers of the DIAN, which occurred yesterday, the effect of fiscal policy from Santos government.

Read the Official Statement of the Colombian Campaign for Decent Work, on the occasion of World Youth Day (spanish)

More information on ENS website