December 2004

Delta Obstacle Removed Through
AJS Intervention

According to the Attorney General of Labor, Ángel Anibal Sandoval, this whole case has been a headache for some time now. He has had to figure out how to pay labor rights compensation to various ex-employees of the company, Delta Security Services, and it has not been easy to manage.

Many of these cases were kept immobile for more than a year. One of the main obstacles, despite all their work in trying to contact them, was citing the owner or a company representative.

Sandoval says happily that, "In the Delta Security case, AJS has given us the collaboration that we needed, and now we have be able to resolve the obstacles that once presented themselves. All the cases that have been sent to this office have been resolved."

He goes on to say that the logistical aspect of these cases is crucial in assuring that the system functions, but according the Secretary of Finance, the reduction in public funds has negatively impacted their ability to fulfill such obligations. "What has helped us to manage this situation is dedicating two days a week to summoning and citing company owners.

He stressed that in the Secretary of Labor administrative procedures are wearing because of the coercion that exists in the courts. "Here we no longer have power in regards to the Law as Labor Inspections now carries this responsibility. But there is criteria regarding what needs to be stated in the dispositions concerning acts of infringement.

He says he can't complain about the diligence of the lawyers assigned by the State to work in the capital. He considers them to be great employees because they win the majority of their cases. This is only achieved if the owner is summoned personally. On the contrary, the trial remains paralyzed due to the overwhelming list of criteria requested by the labor courts. They are currently working to change this criteria in order to resolve this problem.

AJS´s intervention in this case concerning Delta Security has been fruitful. A little less than a month ago the Attorney General's Office of Labor was able to turn in official documentation stating that the Delta Security Company no longer has pending cases in their office.

Honduran Forestry Law

Articles:

Workers Without Rights

Rise In Security Companies

AJS Intervention

Law Does Not Protect Workers

Interviews:

Selvin Martinez
-Labor Inspector

Carlos Ayala
-Lawyer for the
Secretary of Labor

Richard Swasey
-Company Owner