Violence and resistance: Bananeros workers’ struggle of Urabá 1990-2010
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Universidad Industrial de Santander
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Las empresas bananeras desde los años 1960 se fueron estableciendo en la región del Urabá. Los trabajadores debieron lucharpara alcanzar unas condiciones laborales dignas. Pasaron de los campamentos deprimentes a viviendas dignas en municipios comoApartadó. Lograron establecer convenciones colectivas con los derechos básicos. No obstante, la fortaleza sindical fue amenazada por la violencia paramilitar, que mediante masacres de trabajadores logró el control de la región, al obligar el repliegue de las guerrillas en la región. Para afrontar esta violencia, los trabajadores debieron desplegar repertorios de resistencia, los cuales incluyeron acciones simbólicas e indirectas, pero principalmente acciones de presión directa, acciones de acompañamiento jurídico y acciones de presión internacional. Así, realizaron paros, huelgas y entierros masivos para manifestar su repudio ante los asesinatos y masacres adelantadas contra los trabajadores. Igualmente, entablaron denuncias y demandas ante las instituciones para exigir justicia. Buscaron solidaridad y apoyo al dar a conocer la problemática ante organizaciones internacionales y ONG. Ante el terror utilizaron el teatro mudo, la pintura y formas que les permitieran poder expresar su dolor y continuar luchando por sus derechos laborales.
Banana companies have been establishing themselves in the Urabá region since the 1960s. The workers had to fight to achievedecent working conditions. They went from depressing camps to decent housing in municipalities like Apartadó. They managed toestablish collective agreements with basic rights. However, the strength of the union was threatened by paramilitary violence, whichthrough massacres of workers gained control of the region, forcing the withdrawal of the guerrillas in the region. To confront thisviolence, the workers had to deploy repertoires of resistance which included symbolic and indirect actions, but mainly direct pressure actions, legal support actions and international pressure actions. Thus, they carried out stoppages, strikes and mass burials to express their repudiation of the murders and massacres carried out against the workers. Likewise, they filed complaints and lawsuits against the institutions to demand justice. Also, they sought solidarity and support by publicizing the problem before international organizations and NGOs. Faced with terror, they used silent drama, painting and forms that allowed them to express their pain and continue fighting for their labor rights.
Banana companies have been establishing themselves in the Urabá region since the 1960s. The workers had to fight to achievedecent working conditions. They went from depressing camps to decent housing in municipalities like Apartadó. They managed toestablish collective agreements with basic rights. However, the strength of the union was threatened by paramilitary violence, whichthrough massacres of workers gained control of the region, forcing the withdrawal of the guerrillas in the region. To confront thisviolence, the workers had to deploy repertoires of resistance which included symbolic and indirect actions, but mainly direct pressure actions, legal support actions and international pressure actions. Thus, they carried out stoppages, strikes and mass burials to express their repudiation of the murders and massacres carried out against the workers. Likewise, they filed complaints and lawsuits against the institutions to demand justice. Also, they sought solidarity and support by publicizing the problem before international organizations and NGOs. Faced with terror, they used silent drama, painting and forms that allowed them to express their pain and continue fighting for their labor rights.
Keywords
Resistance, violence, massacre, syndicalism, strike, resistencia, violencia, masacre, sindicalismo, huelga