UNISON has written to Guatemalan president Otto Pérez Molina to call on him to tackle the rise in attacks on trade unionists in the country.
General secretary Dave Prentis said: “The president of Guatemala said it was shameful that his country is now the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist.
“If the shame is to be lifted, then he must ensure that the perpetrators of the 58 murders of trade unionists in recent years are brought to justice.”
And Mr Prentis added: “The targeting of trade union leaders – especially women – is abhorrent. As a union with a million women in membership, we are pleading with President Pérez Molina to protect those who are currently receiving death threats, and to conduct proper investigations into the scores of murders that have taken place.”