On 19 October, trade unionists and workers in the healthcare and education sectors took to the streets in El Salvador for a “White March” to voice their rejection of State budget cuts that aim to freeze salary scales as of 2025 and eliminate this labor right. After the march, at least 60 workers in both sectors were fired, one nurse was criminalized, and various acts of intimidation and smear campaigns were documented. It is important to note that trade unionists had denounced being intimidated and threatened prior to the march with demands that they sign a commitment to disband the mobilization.

The dismissals began two days after the protest, with that of union leader Idalia Zúniga, who has publicly denounced her firing as a reprisal and part of the union persecution she has faced in the last two years due to her work as General Secretary of the Salvadoran Teachers’ Front. It is important to recall that the dismissal of trade unionists is a violation of the labor laws that protect workers from reprisals for defending collective labor rights.

Teachers and medical personnel with up to 31 years of service were fired in the days that followed. Teachers received brief notices stating that “due to a restructuring of the Ministry of Education, your teaching position is no longer necessary for the public service, so a decision has been made to eliminate it”, and prohibiting the disclosure of their dismissal. In the case of medical and nursing staff, many were verbally dismissed when they arrived for their work shifts. The dismissals also affected administrative staff in these two sectors and in the Ministry of Finance.

Of grave concern is the case of Jackelin Cristina González de Martínez, a nurse who on 24 October was violently detained in her home by a squad of 10 police officers. Hours prior to her detention, the nurse had protested her arbitrary dismissal for having participated in the White March. At this time, there is no further information about her situation.

IM-Defensoras condemns these arbitrary actions and reminds the State of El Salvador of its duty to respect the right to protest and the work of trade unionists who defend collective labor rights. Protesting is a right that may not be punished or be a motive for labor reprisals.

We urge the Human Rights Ombudsperson’s Office (PDDH) to fulfill its role protecting people from infringements on their rights.

We call on the International Labor Organization (ILO) to join the demand for respect of the labor rights of teachers, healthcare and administrative personnel who are experiencing dismissals and other forms of labor violence.

Finally, we invite the international community to show solidarity, remain vigilant of the situation and speak out against these violations of labor rights and the right to protest in El Salvador.