National MP and CGT leader, Mario ManriqueHe issued a strong warning against the labor reform plan promoted by the government, stressing that its real goal is not modernization or job creation, but rather “to break up unions to impose flexibility.” Manrique denounced that the official debate is based on a “story” that ignores historical lessons, recalling that the labor reforms implemented in the 1990s and 2001 only led to the destruction of the productive apparatus.
The union leader was categorical in saying that the key to creating job opportunities does not lie in dismantling workers’ rights. “If we want to create jobs, we don’t have to reform labor laws. We must revitalize the economy, reactivate consumption and strengthen the internal market. “No businessman will hire employees he doesn’t need, even if that worker is free,” Manrique said in an interview with Splendid AM 990.
This criticism is directed at the current economic model, which Manrique defines as “financial, not even productive” and which leads to a scheme of deindustrialization. The current situation, according to the MP, translates into alarming numbers: “30 factories are closed daily, and there are more than 250 thousand layoffs recorded since Miley took office. By this logic there will be no more work“The concern extends to key sectors, such as the automobile industry, which has already lost 3,500 to 4,000 jobs this year and is running its factories at less than 50% of capacity.
Manrique pointed out the real goal behind the government’s insistence on reform, which goes beyond regulations and focuses on bargaining power. Remember the words of Federico Sturzenegger, a promoter of deregulation: “When the relationship of power between worker and employer is broken, the will of the employer always prevails.” For the CGT leader, The reform seeks to dismantle the ability to collective bargaining For the benefit of the business planner exclusively.
The leader questioned the logic that attempts to justify flexibility as a driver of employment. He stated that if you ask any official what economic engine will be activated with this reform so that the business community begins to employ people, “he cannot answer it because it is not true.” Furthermore, he pointed out that in the past businessmen were forgiven debts so they could wash off workers, and “they didn’t wash off anyone,” showing no relationship between business profits and job creation on record.
Criticism of the ‘business class’ and the role of the CGT
The MP also attacked what he called the “business class,” accusing them of double standards. He pointed out that these chambers participate in discussion tables, such as the Salary Council, which proposes “miserable increases,” but then complain about the consequences of the government’s policy of openness, such as the entry of imports.
Manrique gave concrete examples of this contradiction: “Look at the UIA, CAME, the Chamber of SMEs… They complain about imports. Even the free market is demanding regulations now. Roca is protesting against imported clothes. We are hitting the patch on one side and laying our eggs on the other side,” he charted.
Regarding the role of the labor movement, the leader stressed that the stage of statements has ended and the labor union must play a more active and strong role in confronting the government’s plan. Suggest it The CGT should withdraw from dialogue spaces such as May’s Council if the government insists on its ideas.
“The CGT should stop going to the Mayo Council. It has already been involved, and it has already said no. If the government insists on these ideas, we must withdraw and put dots upon dots,” he said.
Finally, the MP announced that his sector is working on an alternative proposal for “labour modernization” that will be presented as minority opinions. However, he warned that no strategy would be sufficient without social mobilization. He concluded by saying: “When the government does not see a reason, it does not listen or listen, it does not matter, the only thing we have left is the street. Politics and mobilization must be combined with intelligence to stop reforms that will only break the social fabric and widen the gap between those who have more and those who have less.”