Opposition Confederation of Workers of Venezuela (CTV) general secretary, Manuel Cova says the government has been unable to set up a trade union central. The announcement of a new single central is an admission, Cova comments, of failure on the part of the government sector to finish off the existing trade union central (CTV) on the one hand and create a parallel central on the other. What is being proposed is a much more sectarian central and the fact that the announcement comes from the Labor Ministry with the Minister acting as a spokesperson calling for a May 1 march is a clear sign of government intentions, Cova insists. Forgetting the history of his own CTV dominated by Accion Democratica (AD) during the Fourth Republic, Cova warns that the government has no intention of creating an autonomous, free and democratic trade union movement and wants a return to a stage already surpassed, namely building a trade union movement at the service of the government.
Speaking about the nationalization of the Sidor steel company, CTV general secretary, Manuel Cova says it is no guarantee of better wages for workers. The fact that the State takes over a company, he muses, is not enough to improve conditions, agreements and standard of living for workers and employees. The trade union leader argues that there are many examples of pear-shaped nationalizations, pointing to the nationalized CANTV Telecom where he claims the collective bargaining contract has to be discussed and public sector employees and teachers.
Pro-government trade union leader, Stalin Perez Borges accuses the Labor Minister, Jose Ramon Ramirez of interfering in trade union affairs and supporting one current of opinion inside the pro-government National Union of Workers (UNT). Perez Borges admits that the pro-government trade union movement is divided but insists that efforts are being made towards unity. However, he adds, the Minister has been more of obstacle than a help and in the case of the Sidor collective bargaining process and conflict, the Minister has adopted and promoted the position of the Argentinean owners all along.
According to Brazil's Defense Minister, Nelson Jobim, the proposed Security Council of the South could be installed by the end of the year. After meeting President Chavez in Miraflores Palace, the Defense Minister announced a general meeting in four months and confirms that there is definite interest in the organisation. Jobim is expected to meet with the Presidents of Suriname, Guyana, Colombia and Peru to discuss the matter in the coming month. The Council, Jobim points out, will not be a classic military alliance because it does not possess an operational character and one of the first steps will be to train personnel to build an industrial apparatus to ensure supplies for future military-industrial integration.
Basic Industries & Mining Minister Rodolfo Sanz has announced that he will visit south-eastern Venezuela's gold mining area this weekend on the instructions of President Chavez to review all mining concessions. Sanz says he will stay there as long as necessary because he wants to seek and implement some solutions for small miners. The government has approved 50 million bolivares to develop seven projects that are part of its mining reconversion plan. Sanz reminds miners of President Chavez' proposal to get involved in productive activities other than mining. The Minister will address the problem of around 600 miners working in the area being run by the PMG gold company. Said miners complain that they haven't received full compensation after being laid off. Sanz reveals that a study of how PMG got the mining concession in the first place is still under review. The government had 30% of shares in the company when it belonged to the Venezuelan Guayana Corporation (CVG) but dropped or sold the shares. Sanz now reveals that there is a discussion whether the decision was correct. The company replies that miners must show legally that they have not received the 50 million bolivares pay off.
Zulia State Governor and leader of the Un Nuevo Tiempo (UNT), Manuel Rosales has announced the candidacies of Enrique Mendoza for the governorship of Miranda and Leopoldo Lopez as Metropolitan Mayor of Caracas. No date has been set for the actual proclamation of candidacies. The State Governor has criticized President Chavez' donation of tonnes of food to Haiti, saying he could have fed several Venezuelan barrios.
Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick.vheadline@gmail.com
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