Nicaragua

In Nicaragua, Pact has helped to establish a new trial chamber at the Polytechnic University (UPOLI) in which actual labor trials are to be held, facilitating access to labor justice for workers in the same location where they receive counseling and legal advice. The chamber also provides students of the law school an opportunity to complete internships and participate in labor trials, strengthening their capacity to advocate on labor justice issues. Additionally, Pact has supported the university in the production of the Manual on Procedural Labor Law, distributing it to public defenders and selling it to students to fund the legal clinic of the university.

Through Pact support, the university law school has been able to disseminate labor rights coverage on national television and radio programs. Every Thursday morning, UPOLI has 20 minutes of air time on the national public television station Canal 10 to discuss legal topics. Legal consultants discuss changes in laws, how to access the justice system and file a complaint, and outline what citizens’ rights are in certain situations. The show is often used to educate the public on their rights and the structure of the laws. Viewers have the opportunity to call and ask the legal experts questions, and also can email the experts directly. The majority of clients coming to UPOLI have heard about the clinic through the show or from someone who has viewed it.

In addition, Pact’s hosted a regional workshop in July and UPOLI professor, Oscar Castillo, volunteered to become the Director of a newly formed “DR-CAFTA Alliance for Labor Justice”, which includes a number of Pact grantees. The purpose of this alliance is to share learning and practice across the region to improve collaboration among universities and civil society organizations to protect and defend worker’s rights.

In Nicaragua, Pact has partnered with the following organizations:

• Asociación Nicaragüense de la Industria Textil y de Confección
• Comisión Permanente de Derechos Humanos
• Instituto Nicaragüense De Estudios Humanísticos
• Fundación por la Paz y la Democracia
• Universidad Politécnica de Nicaragua
• Universidad Paulo Freire

      Success Story – Improved Workplace Conditions

Pact has a long-standing relationship with Polytechnic University in Nicaragua, and has conducted three phases of workshops with university on labor disputes and labor laws. After almost two years of trainings and support, an independent evaluation team noted that “the university clinic is making a significant impact on labor justice in Nicaragua… businesses are now aware that free legal services are available, and there are taking preemptive measures to improve conditions in the workplace. The general population also knows that they have access to free legal services.”