The need remains for oversight by Congress of the private firms receiving huge gov’t contracts to guard sites and personnel in Iraq, among other places. I have been looking into Triple Canopy since it hired a relative, currently in Iraq. Other questions about this company were raised last month.
It treats its American employees much better than it does its Latin American security force, though the food is good for all. Some 200+ Peruvians are paid about $1000 a month (and no rotation) under year-long contracts. Most guard the U.S. embassy under construction in the international (“geen”)zone in Baghdad. Work outside the zone has been offered for $5000 a month.
Promises made at recruitment/signing of contract have not been kept:
1) instead of 8-hour shifts, they work 12 hours a day, plus mandatory daily exercises;
2) after 9 days of work they receive only 1 day off;
3) the promised English classes do not exist;
4) the promised computer access turns out to be 20 minutes on very slow machines;
5) medical attention is practically non-existent.
Management blows off these & other problems brought to its attention. About 60 Chileans quit & returned home. Two Peruvians have died (one reportedly from leukemia, the other reportedly hanging). That any remain under these conditions, including what is for them extreme cold, is testament to the terrible economy south of the border.
Congressional oversight is warranted because of the effect on foreign affairs of the company’s labyrynthine recruitment and training practices, causing a ruckus in parts of Latin America (it helps to read Spanish). Anyone putting his life on the line to guard our embassy deserves decent medical care, not arrogance.
This is my first ever blogging. Helpful hints welcome.
Those who went to Iraq were recruited by an ad placed by a Peruvian company for 3D Global Solutions; the ultimate employer was Triple Canopy, now headquartered in Herndon, VA.
A contingent of 200+ Peruvians was recruited for similar work via a Peruvian company, Wackenhut-Peru [www.wackenhut.com.pe], for 3D Global Solutions; the ultimate employer was MVM, Inc., headquartered in Vienna, VA.
They left mid-November 2005 for Kabul, Afghanistan, and returned Dec. 28, 2005, their contracts suddenly terminated for no stated reason. One of their number was Martin Jara, the man strangled Dec. 2, 2005.
http://www.24horas.com.pe/noticia.php?id=20051227007
http://www.larepublica.com.pe/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=98529&Itemid=30&fecha_edicion=2005-12-28
Do you have links to any of the information you’ve cited? Good idea to post them. In the meantime, SourceWatch gives some background.
Thank you for the hint.
in Spanish:
– Yahoo en espanol news, 11-16-05 “Peruanos y chilenos protegen la Zona Verde en Bagdad” http://espanol.news.yahoo.com/051116/52/153k4.html;
– news, 10-26-05, Diario Oficial El Peruano, “Contrato entre ejercito y empresa fue legal”
http://www.editoraperu.com.pe/edc/2005/10/27/pol2.asp;
– press release froom Peru’s Ministerio de Defensa, http://www.mindef.gob.pe/OCP/notasprensa/2005/notasprensa93-05.htm
– news, 1-3-06, La Republica, editorial “varados en Kabul y Bagdad;” the last 2 paragraphs read:
“Se descubre así, en el caso peruano, un aprovechamiento censurable de la presiones que genera un mercado sujeto a permanente desempleo, en el que unos 300.000 jóvenes que no encuentran trabajo cada año se ven obligados a elegir entre la salida del país o la aceptación de empleos peligrosos sujetos a condiciones tramposas. Así, los captados para ir a Kabul o Bagdad son obligados a firmar contratos en castellano e inglés que difieren entre sí. Estos últimos no les son explicados y establecen, por ejemplo, que en caso de desacuerdos entre las partes, la demanda no puede presentarse ante tribunales peruanos, sino en territorio norteamericano y ante jueces de EEUU.
“Se anunció un comunicado de Torre Tagle sobre el caso de Martín Jara y creemos que es momento de exigirlo. Al mismo tiempo, demandar una fiscalización de nuestras autoridades laborales respecto de las condiciones que se pactan en estos contratos y las garantías de compensación que se ofrecen a quienes los firman. El `cholo barato’, ahora a escala internacional, no puede justificar el cerrar los ojos ante este tráfico con la necesidad de compatriotas que arriesgan su vida, único bien que les queda.”
http://www.larepublica.com.pe/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=58&Itemi
d=480&fecha_edicion=2006-01-03#;
from RPP news, 12-6-05, “Muere peruano que retorno de Irak tras laborar como agente seguridad”
http://www.rpp.com.pe/portada/nacional/26521_1.php
in English:
from Inter Press Service, 11-2-05 (repeated) “Peru: Veteran soldiers, Police Recruited for Iraq by U. S. Contractors,”
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=30834
As to other facts, especially as to the conditions & broken promises, they reflect the experiences of one of Triple Canopy’s Peruvian employees, my daughter-in-law’s brother, as he has related them to me.
Gracias senor/a. And thanks for the english version. I understand the problem, but can only suggest the employees file claims against the company if they have been lied to.
The contracts contain clauses requiring enforcement to be under U.S. laws, in the state of Virginia. The “cholo barato” who signed up can hardly afford such a lawsuit. His family is lucky if they can afford even a phone call to Virginia.
Are they expediting the generation of additional revenues to the intended recipients?
Those are really the relevant questions.
No different from American expendables, “official” or commercially provided.