Peru's largest labor union warns government against cutting workers' rights

The General Confederation of Workers of Peru (CGTP), the nation's largest labor union, has issued a strong warning to the government, vowing to resist any attempts to curtail workers' rights. Hundreds of union members marched through Lima's historic center on Thursday to voice their opposition to the current administration's plans. President Keiko Fujimori's government, which assumed office on July 28, has announced its intention to seek legislative powers from Congress. While these powers are partly aimed at addressing citizen security and the impact of El Niño, a draft proposal reportedly includes reforms to administrative, labor, and tax processes. The CGTP views any such reforms as a potential threat to hard-won labor protections. "This is a mobilization of alert to signal to the Executive that we workers are not willing to accept any reduction in labor rights," stated Luis Villanueva Carbajal, president of the CGTP, during the protest. He emphasized that if the government's proposals move forward, workers will take to the streets to defend their established rights. The union is urging Congress to reject the executive's request for legislative authority over labor issues. Ronald Zárate Escobar, secretary of defense for the southern Lima coastal construction workers' union, echoed these concerns. He stated that the march was a preemptive measure against potential harm to workers' rights across Peru. Zárate criticized the new administration, suggesting it favors industries and employers over workers and expressed fears that new laws could negatively impact wages. The union leaders asserted that workers would not respect a mandate that undermines their rights.

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This is a mobilization of alert to signal to the Executive that we workers are not willing to accept any reduction in labor rights.