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Voters approve new Ecuadorian constitution |
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27 October 2008
Voters overwhelmingly approved a new constitution on Sunday 28th September that amongst other things ended labour sub-contracting in all sectors of the economy in Ecuador and heralded other important reforms to labour law.
The new constitution also includes reference to the idea of food sovereignty - a
world first. Despite constant predictions of a close vote, nearly 64% of the voters
approved and only 29% were against.
 Guillermo Touma, President of rural workers' and small farmers'
federation
FENACLE (Banana Link’s Ecuadorian partner), was a member of the
National Constitutional Assembly convened by President Correa which
drafted the new Constitution. FENACLE was involved in the campaign for
a ‘Yes’ vote to the new constitution, a difficult struggle due to the
power and influence of those campaigning for a ‘No’ vote over the major
media outlets (radio, TV and newspapers). FENACLE and Banana Link would
like to particularly recognise the support of UNISON Scotland and the
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) who raised money to support radio
broadcasts and poster campaigns during the run-up to the referendum.
Guillermo says; “We would like…to thank you for the moral and economic
support that you have always given to us to promote our work on behalf
of the workers and farmers that we represent. At this time of historic
challenge, it has been really important that the people have been
engaged in debating a new Constitution for the Republic, with the
collaboration of all civil society actors. […] We will continue to
struggle to create further laws for the benefit of workers.”
To read more about the referendum result, Click Here.
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