gisw13_chapters

company PDVSA 41 (2), the National Land Institute(2), the University of Zulia (1) and the public waterutility Aguas de Yaracuy (1).In the case of PDVSA, a female employee sufferedfrom an excessive work load, forced overtime,harassment, high levels of abuse, rigid supervisionand performance pressure, which led to occupationaldiseases. 42 She had to undergo intensivepsychiatric tests at four institutions 43 during 2009and 2010. INPSASEL concluded that the worker wassubjected to mobbing and a certificate was issuedbecause the harassment caused temporary disability.Meanwhile the company was under an obligationnot only to correct and prevent it from happeningagain but to pay the worker compensation of between26 UT (USD 442) and 75 UT (USD 1,275).In some public sector cases, the participationof women through ICTs in the workplace representsa risk that promotes more threats, harassment andworkplace violence. In recent years public employeeshave highlighted cases that involve social networks.This creates a hostile working environment and levelsof helplessness that lead potential victims towithdraw complaints for fear of being fired or beingaccused of exaggerating episodes which are not really“serious”. 44 Below are some incidents:• In 2004, Venezuela witnessed a number of incidentsof gender violence against women participatingin peaceful pro-democracy protestsorganised by the opposition against the government.A shadow report by Venezuela’s OVDHM 45details the cases of four women who sufferedthe consequences of excessive violence. 46 Twowere killed and the others were beaten, withoutany prosecution of the aggressors. In the caseof Maritza Ron, she died during the demonstrationand the three individuals involved in thecrime (sentenced to 11 years in prison each) arenow on parole. There are moves to take the caseto the international courts. 4741 www.aporrea.org/ddhh/n153835.html42 www.medicinalaboraldevenezuela.com.ve/archivo/Anteproyectos%20Normas%20Tecnicas%20INPSASEL/listado_de_enfermedades_2009.pdf43 Unidad de Psiquiatría Ocupacional de Pdvsa, Unidad Nacional dePsiquiatría del Instituto Venezolano de Seguridad Social (IVSS),Dirección Regional de Salud de los Trabajadores (Diresat Caracas/Vargas) and Unidad de Medicina y Psicología Ocupacional deINPSASEL.44 www.aporrea.org/actualidad/a98375.html45 www.iwraw-ap.org/resources/pdf/Venezuela2005%281%29.pdf46 Evangelina Carrizo, leader of Acción Democrática (killed), MaritzaRon, homemaker (killed), Elba de Diamante, member of the NGOWomen for Freedom (beaten) and Elionor Montes, lawyer (beaten).47 www.marthacolmenares.com/2009/08/14/cuando-asesinaron-amaritza-ron-galeria-fotografica-y-resenasand www.hableconmigo.com/2010/09/03/a-seis-anos-del-asesinato-de-maritza-ron• Other landmark cases occurred in April 2013following a series of social and political eventsafter the presidential elections. Six teachersand one secretary from schools in the state ofZulia were dismissed on suspicion that theyharboured anti-government views, according tothe president of the Single Union of Teachers ofZulia, Gualberto Masyrubi. 48 Deputy Delsa Solorzano49 also said the government implementeda “political cleansing operation” and indicatedthat teachers from around the country wouldbe reported and dismissed if they did not signa document swearing loyalty to the president. 50A team of lawyers have defended 64 casesand have drafted documents for submissionto INPSASEL. 51 The General Confederation ofWorkers of Venezuela (CGT) 52 will also presentcases before the ILO. 53These cases were reported on blogs 54 which pointedout that the internet was a key instrument inthe “political cleansing operation”. A Facebook accountwas created under the name “Removing thetraitors of the fatherland” which published namesand photos of civil servants (men and women) whosupposedly voted for the opposition candidate. 55 Itwas accompanied by threatening messages fromgovernment supporters. A Twitter account 56 alsopublished photographs of public employees indemonstrations supporting opposition candidatesand calling for the “cleansing” of state agencies.The director of the Centre for Human Rights reportsthat many public employees had their mobilephones seized, after which they were checked for“suspicious signals” – an act which is neverthelessa crime according to Articles 6, 9, 11, 20 and 22 ofthe Computer Crimes Act. 57These cases reflect the levels of helplessnessthat Venezuelan women feel regarding the enforcementof their labour rights and citizen participation.48 www.el-nacional.com/politica/Destituidos-docentespolitica_0_178182479.html49 Coordinadora de la comisión de derechos humanos de la Mesa deLa Unidad Democrática (MUD) de Venezuela and www.ntn24.com/noticias/denuncian-en-venezuela-acoso-8755350 President Nicolás Maduro51 www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/economia/haypruebas-de-64-casos-de-acoso-laboral-tras-elec.aspx52 www.espectador.com/noticias/263933/venezuela-denunciaranpersecucion-ante-oit53 www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/lang--es/index.htm54 venezuela-mujeresdenegro.blogspot.com/2013/05/la-razon-cazade-brujas-chavista-en-las.html55 Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles56 www.notitweets.com/opinion/65-todo/91500-chavismo-despidioa-5000-empleados-publicos-por-opositores.html57 www.tsj.gov.ve/legislacion/ledi.htm239 / Global Information Society Watch