Labor Minister defends government at ILO

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, March 30, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuelan Labor Minister Maria Cristina Iglesias has visited the International Labor Organization (ILO) HQ in Geneva to defend the Venezuelan government's handling of the December-January national stoppage. 

Iglesias has told the ILO Administrative Council that Federation of Chambers of Industry & Commerce (Fedecamaras)  and Venezuelan Confederation of Trade Unions (CTV)  leaderships organized a "financial coup against the Venezuela government, which was aborted by massive support from workers and the People."

Calling the national stoppage a "lockout," Ms. Iglesias refuted accusations that the government is persecuting Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA)  workers and employees. 

• CTV general secretary, Manuel Cova was in Geneva last week to defend CTV president, Carlos Ortega, Fedecamaras president Carlos Fernandez and top PDVSA executives. 

Oil Workers Federation (Fedepetrol) president, Rafael Rosales accompanied the Minister and spoke at a specially convened conference on Venezuela at Geneva University.