Building Capacity in the Fight to Win: Supporting Steps for Better Organized Salvadoran Workers

Project Summary

Over the years, the Salvadoran labour movement has been challenged by declining membership, a legal framework leaving unionized workers vulnerable to rights violations by employers, and an unemployment crisis disproportionately affecting young Salvadorans.

Salvadoran women continue to fight for employment parity with men, and the country’s staunchly and often violent hetero-sexist culture means few stable and dignified employment prospects for El Salvador's already persecuted LGBTQ populations. Under these daunting conditions, The Federation of Independent Associations and Unions of El Salvador (FEASIES) protects and stands up for those workers who are most exposed to the injustices of the dominant economic model. It seeks to represent workers in 13 federated member unions, including textile and construction industries, agriculture, paid household work, and the public sector.

This project seeks to promote FEASIES, and the wider Salvadoran labour movement, in favour of labour and human rights. FEASIES aims to strengthen the organizational capacity of federated unions by planning, proposing and engaging in labour-related public policy development. By working with federated union members, the Ministry of Labour, and non-unionized maquila workers, the organization provides knowledge-sharing opportunities to promote and protect labour rights. To ensure FEASIES reaches El Salvador's most vulnerable Salvadoran workers, the organization places great emphasis on engaging Salvadoran youth, women, and LGBTQ persons in its efforts.