This Wednesday, at a solemn event in the Faculty of Medicinemembers of the institution’s union of employees expressed their discontent to the president Luis Lacalle Pou.
The main reason for their protest was a “salary cut,” they said. The underlying event was the inauguration of a new laboratory for the food and human health program.
The occasion, intended to celebrate academic progress, turned into a direct confrontation. The protesters, shouting “go away” and “thief,” addressed the president as he prepared to get into his car at the end of the event.
Lacalle Pou chose not to respond to the insults, simply leaving in his vehicle without making any statements after looking impassively at the protesters.
Protests against Lacalle’s presence at the Faculty of Medicine
Pablo Hernández, representative of the Affur Medicina union, stressed that the main concern of workers is wage stagnation. According to him, by 2025 workers will face a loss in purchasing power that they describe as a reduction in their real wages. This feeling of economic loss resonates among officials as a central complaint.
On the other hand, President Lacalle Pou addressed the situation in a later speech in the city of Maldonado. Responding to questions about the incidents at the faculty, he said: “Since I became president, there have been 1-10 people, I think there were 10-11 who could shout.” He stressed his displeasure at the booing, although he reiterated his commitment to freedom of expression.
Lacalle Pou insisted that, under his government, citizens have the freedom to express their opinions without fear of reprisals. He commented: “He will not be persecuted, he will not be noted, we will not look for his name, nor will we cancel him,” referring to respect for dissenting voices as a pillar of democracy.
The president said that while he does not agree with the content of the protests, he recognises the right of the demonstrators to express themselves. He said: “They may be right in some ways, I don’t know, but they can shout as much as they want,” suggesting a tolerant approach to the criticism received.
President Lacalle Pou was booed upon entering and leaving the Faculty of Medicine by a group of university officials demanding a larger university budget. The protesters stood on the sidewalk. pic.twitter.com/cqvNWqYTwA
— Channel 5 News (@5noticiasuy) August 29, 2024
Union members seek wage claims
This incident comes amid growing tensions over wage demands in several public institutions. Trade unions have launched a campaign to highlight what they consider to be a setback in the economic conditions of public servants.
The inauguration of the laboratory was strategic for the protesters, given the media visibility that the presence of President Lacalle Pou attracts. The intention of the officials is to draw attention to the financial situation they face and, eventually, open a more effective negotiation channel with the government.
