Call centre workers in Suriname have established a new union named Vakbond Voor Alle Werkers (B.V.A.W.) to advocate for the rights of customer service employees. This marks the first such union in the South American country, which is known for its Dutch-speaking population and serves both domestic and international clients.
The newly formed union aims to affiliate with Suriname’s national federation, Unie van Assertieve Vakbonden (U.v.A.V.). The initiative is supported by FNV Callcenters, a UNI Global Union affiliate, which is assisting B.V.A.W. in creating a robust and democratic union structure.
“Call centre workers are the backbone of customer service. Yet too often, they work under difficult conditions, with unclear contracts and inadequate facilities. We are now changing that, together with our Surinamese colleagues,” stated Elly Heemskerk from FNV Callcentres.