According to the president of the Federacíon Nacíonal Obrera y Indígena del Ecuador (FENOIE), one of the main labour organizations in Ecuador and formerly known as the Federacíon Ecuatoriana de Organizacíones Campesinas (FENOC), the Federacíon Ecuatoriana de Trabajadores Agricolas del Litoral (FETAL) is a small regional organization based in Guayaquil (8 Dec. 1993). FETAL was fairly active between 1984 and 1987, but has been seriously weakened by internal dissension and is currently almost non-existent (ibid.). Around 1987 there was widespread repression which affected all sections of society, including trade unions (ibid.). The source added that FETAL was not one of the unions affected by this repression (ibid.).

An on-line search of sources regularly consulted by the DIRB was unable to produce information on the above subject.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Federacíon Nacíonal Obrera y Indígena del Ecuador (FENOIE), Quito. 8 December 1993. Telephone interview with president.