Casás wins labor lawsuit against Marea Frenteamplista for nearly $700,000

Former deputy Martina Casás has secured a first-instance victory in a labor lawsuit against the Marea Frenteamplista political sector, winning nearly $700,000 in compensation for indirect dismissal and special indemnification related to sexual harassment.

The lawsuit was filed in parallel to a criminal complaint Casás brought against the then-deputy Gustavo Olmos, who held the seat Casás was a substitute for. The criminal case was archived by the prosecutor's office in June 2023. The labor court awarded Casás $697,812, plus a 10% surcharge and legal adjustments and interest.

Marea Frenteamplista has stated its intention to appeal the ruling, asserting that the court made erroneous judgments, misapprehended facts, and incorrectly applied and interpreted the law. The sector maintained it would respect the judicial system and pursue its arguments through the appropriate legal channels.

The judge, Stefania Barosio, determined that a labor relationship existed between Casás and Marea Frenteamplista, finding that she was hired as an advisor rather than merely a "paid militant." The court also rejected the sector's claim that the contract was for a fixed term, concluding it was of indefinite duration. Furthermore, the judge found sufficient evidence of sexual harassment by Olmos, Casás's immediate superior, which created a hostile work environment and threatened her employment situation, fulfilling the requirements of Law 18.561 on sexual harassment in the workplace.