PSI sides with Public Sector Workers in Ecuador to resist Privatisation Push
Sep 4, 2024
In an open letter of solidarity, PSI General Secretary Daniel Bertossa condemns the attack on workers' rights as part of a strategy to privatise essential public services in Ecuador.
In an open letter of solidarity, PSI General Secretary Daniel Bertossa condemns recent assaults on workers' rights in Ecuador, underscoring a strategic push to privatise essential public services.
The attacks on collective bargaining and union independence are driven by decrees of the Ministry of Labour that aim to unilaterally revise existing agreements, particularly in the electricity, telecommunications, and oil sectors, under the pretense of reducing state costs.
"The interests behind this onslaught in Ecuador are not isolated but are part of a global capitalist onslaught. Specifically, the Noboa economic group of Ecuador's president's family has strong links with international capital in the public services sector, particularly in the health, telecommunications, and energy sectors," says the letter signed by Bertossa.
PSI calls for global solidarity to combat this trend, emphasizing that these rights have been hard-won and are crucial for safeguarding public welfare.
"We will continue to take our experience and observations to the ILO where the government of Ecuador is already under scrutiny for its repeated and ongoing violations of the fundamental rights of the country's workers, and we invite you to join our struggles and organisational strength to reverse the onslaught nationally.
In addition, we will make visible our solidarity with the visit from 25-27 September of the trade union leader who has represented PSI in this case at the ILO on several occasions, Marcelo Di Stefano, Vice-President of PSI's Global Network of Education Support Workers."
