Video still from Nomadesc.
Peace Brigades International-Canada highlights that the Association for Research and Social Action (Nomadesc) has posted on social media:
“WHY A HUNGER STRIKE?: FOR THE DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF COLOMBIAN WORKERS! On October 28, 2026, workers at the Swiss multinational company Nestlé in Bugalagrande, Valle del Cauca, began a hunger strike. For the past nine days, they have endured harassment by public security forces, mistreatment by the company, and ongoing, unjustified dismissals—such as the case of union leader Rossemberg Mambuscay, who was informed of his termination while exercising his legitimate right to strike. The strike is a response to the unilateral suspension of 387 employment contracts and the mass dismissal of workers. We invite you to learn about the reasons behind this strike and to add your voice in support of the courage shown by SINALTRAINAL, as well as to join in rejecting the multinational corporations that continue to violate the fundamental rights of the Colombian working class. Thank you, SINALTRAINAL, for your bravery. Long live the workers’ strike!”
Accompaniment
Peace Brigades International has accompanied Nomadesc since 2011 and its president Berenice Celeita since 1999. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has also partnered with Nomadesc beginning in 2003.
In June 2023, the Ottawa-based Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) announced a contract to supply the Colombian Army with 55 Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs). At that time, the CCC noted the contract “includes strict end-use provisions that govern how the Colombian National Army have agreed to operate the Canadian-made light armoured vehicles.” The CCC is a federal Crown corporation overseen by Maninder Sidhu, the Minister of International Trade.
Nomadesc has noted that SINALTRAINAL members have “endured harassment by public security forces” and been “harassed by National Army military personnel”. Nomadesc further affirms that “the use of military troops is excluded from the control mechanisms for public demonstrations”.
Both CUPE and PBI-Canada have called on the Embassy of Canada in Colombia to be attentive to this situation and the potential for the “end-use” of Canadian-manufactured military goods in violations against workers in Colombia.
Further reading
–CUPE supports Colombian union Sinaltrainal and Nomadesc: ‘Using military force against workers on strike is a violation of labour rights’ (PBI-Canada, October 31, 2026)
–Urgent Action from SINALTRAINAL and Nomadesc notes hunger strike against Nestlé-Bugalagrande is being harassed by the National Army (PBI-Canada, October 28, 2026)
–Nomadesc stands with SINALTRAINAL union members at Nestlé factory in Bugalagrande, Colombia (PBI-Canada, October 28, 2026).
