CVG workers warn that, if a solution to the problem is not obtained, they will take forceful measures and urge the supervisory board to give an immediate response to the labor crisis
Text: Francesca Diaz / Caroní Mail
“Unrequired” workers from the Siderúrgica del Orinoco (Sidor) have been appearing in front of the Venezuelan Corporation of Guayana (CVG) for two days to demand the immediate reinstatement of all those who have been unincorporated for three years allegedly due to the pandemic.
The affected Sidorists denounce that the number of “not required” is around 6 thousand workers. Those who remain under this status receive only 30% of their salaries, they also lose most of the benefits offered by the holding company as a bag of food and payment of benefits.
* Also read: Workers protested in front of the CVG to request a hearing with the supervisory board
CVG and the disincorporation of employees
The dismissal of employees was a policy promoted by the former president of CVG, Pedro Maldonado, -currently arrested for corruption- who justified the measure by alleging that the plants were overloaded with personnel and production was low due to the pandemic. It should be noted that the debacle of the state companies dates back to 2018, two years before the pandemic.
In view of the fact that the confinement was lifted since 2022, the Sidorists demand that the CVG supervisory board immediately reinstate their jobs.
Despite the fact that those affected have appeared in front of the corporation for two days, according to information offered by security personnel, the directive would be in Caracas holding meetings with the national Executive, which is why the workers could only record a document where They explain their situation and make the request for immediate reinstatement, which was received by a CVG official.
“We ask for our activation because it is a right that corresponds to all workers. We are going through need and work earning only 600 bolivars a month. That is not enough to make a market. It is unworthy of us. I’m starving, I don’t have enough for my father’s diapers, who is in a critical situation. I ask you to address the situation of all of us. It is up to us that they reinstate us to our jobs,” said Carmen García, a worker with 35 years of experience at Sidor.
Regarding this problem, during 2022 Pedro Maldonado, former president of CVG, promised that all personnel would be reinstated to their jobs during the month of December, a commitment that was not fulfilled.
Recently, the governor of Bolívar, Ángel Marcano –who for sure has no interference in the basic companies– affirmed in a political meeting that the reincorporation of 9 thousand workers would proceed.
preferential reactivation
Sidorists reported for Caroní Mail that there are irregularities around the incorporations, since they are done in a segmented way using discrimination and benefiting those who have positions affected by the ruling party.
“There is great discrimination against workers. All of us are looking to be reactivated and we have been making lists for almost a year to get our jobs. The majority of the managers, militiamen and personnel of the productive councils of workers and workers (CPTT) are the ones who decide who enters. The one who argued with a manager about uniform or food: does not enter. They have labor terrorism and the workers work in unsafe and unsuitable conditions,” said one of the protesters.
Both the regional authorities and the directive of the basic companies have admitted that the status of “not required” is one of the problems to be resolved. This is because the disincorporation violates the workers’ right to work.
However, despite the fact that it has been the most repeated request by the working class of Guyana, until now the supervisory board has not informed what the action plan will be to restore all the personnel.
The Sidorists affirmed that CVG officials received the document and, in turn, promised to give them a meeting date for next week.
Protesters warned that, if they do not receive an answer, they will take “more forceful measures” until the objectives are achieved.
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