ILO body censures Venezuela, seeks probe of abuses
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA, Nov 15 (Reuters) - The International Labour Organisation has asked Venezuela to investigate suspected kidnappings and harassment of private sector employers, as well as property confiscations, officials said on Thursday.
A key ILO committee submitted a report recommending that Venezuela address accusations of expropriation of land and measures taken against employers' leaders, including the abduction of three sugar producers in 2006.
Acting on a complaint brought by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), it cited suspected harassment of employers' leaders in "hostile speeches" by President Hugo Chavez and a "climate of intimidation".
Chavez, who nationalised large parts of the economy this year under his self-styled socialist "revolution", is campaigning for a referendum on Dec. 2 which he hopes will expand his powers and end presidential term limits.
The ILO's governing body -- composed of representatives of governments, employers' organisations and workers' groups -- agreed to step up the pressure on Caracas late on Wednesday.
"The governing body adopted the recommendations of ILO's Freedom of Association Committee," said Hans von Rohland, a spokesman for the U.N. agency.
The ILO committee voiced concern at suspected discrimination against the business chamber Fedecamaras and called on Caracas to investigate "a pro-governmental mob" which forced its way into Fedecamaras offices and damaged property in March.
Fedecamaras head Albis Munoz and eight other employer leaders should be allowed to travel, it said. Her predecessor Carlos Fernandez, who is in the United States, should be permitted to return to Venezuela without risk of reprisals and an arrest warrant against him should be annulled.
The IOE, a Geneva-based body linking employers' groups in 140 countries, welcomed the ILO decision -- which also said authorities should remove restrictions on independent media.
"It is recognition of our concerns," IOE Secretary-General Antonio Penalosa told Reuters.
"Fedecamaras was attacked in March by people close to Chavez, who used municipal or official cars. We have their names and pictures," he said. "The police force was close but remained passive, they didn't do anything to prevent the attack." (Editing by Alison Williams)
