The Telecommunications Union (Sutel) defined a “schedule of strikes and mobilizations” due to the changes in the Media Law that “they grant the patrimony of the Uruguayans and the Uruguayans to private and multinationals”, due to the permission of provide internet to cable companiesconfirmed to The Observer Florencia Leymonie, union secretary.
The strikes were defined from September 1 to 15, which will be distributed in different sectors with assemblies and then mobilizations, different for each sector.
The stoppages will end on September 15. On September 19, a new congress will be convened to define the steps to follow.
The intention of the group is generate mobilizations “together with the people” for this situation, which Leymonie believes “You cannot leave without a political cost” for “those who hand over the country’s sovereignty with this additive.”
The union took this measure in an emergency call of its national congress of delegates, after the coalition agreed modify article 56 of the Media Law to allow cable companies to sell internet. In its previous writing this article was considered unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Justice, which opened the door to the Executive Power to enable five operators to sell internet services.
According to Leymonie, this decision affects “40% of Antel’s profits”, with the intention, according to the secretary, of “saving” the cable operators of the interior. “Saving them does not imply giving up all of Antel’s business and infrastructure”critical.
In addition, he stressed that with the current regulations there is already the possibility of association between the cable operators and Antel. “Why don’t agreements with cable operators be deepened so that Antel maintains business?” the trade unionist asked.
In any case, Leymonie defined as a “relief” that the entire Media Law has not been repealed as proposed by the National Party, intention that did not have the support of Cabildo Abierto and the Colorado Party. However, Sutel remains alert to do not return to the discussion for the renewal of the entire law, a project that has been in Parliament since 2020. According to the union, this idea would imply “a setback in terms of freedom of expression”, marked the trade unionist.
