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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Economy & Trade

Unions Announce Mobilization Towards Miraflores for Salary Improvements

From El Nacional · (5m ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Union leader José Patines called for a protest march to Miraflores on April 30, demanding salary increases and adherence to Article 91 of the Constitution.
  • The workers' demands are linked to the rising cost of the basic necessities basket, which now exceeds $1,500.
  • Patines warned of escalating labor actions in May if the government fails to address their demands, criticizing the lack of dialogue with genuine worker representatives.

Caracas is bracing for further labor unrest as union leaders have announced a significant mobilization towards the Miraflores presidential palace. The call, spearheaded by union figure José Patines, is set for April 30 and represents an escalation in the ongoing protests that began on March 12. The core of the workers' grievances lies in their demand for salary adjustments that reflect the soaring cost of living, specifically citing the basic necessities basket, which has now surpassed $1,500.

We are calling for this April 30 all workers from Caracas and adjacent areas to join us in marching to Miraflores.

— José PatinesPatines announced the date and destination of the planned protest march.

Patines emphatically invoked Article 91 of the Venezuelan Constitution, which mandates that salaries must be sufficient to cover the cost of basic goods. "Gentlemen, Article 91 is clear, the salary must reach the cost of the basic necessities basket," he stated, underscoring the legal basis for their claims. The planned march to Miraflores is a direct appeal to the government to uphold this constitutional right and address the economic hardship faced by Venezuelan workers.

Gentlemen, Article 91 is clear, the salary must reach the cost of the basic necessities basket, which today costs more than 1,500 dollars.

— José PatinesPatines cited the constitutional article and the high cost of living to justify the salary demands.

The timing of this mobilization is particularly sensitive, occurring just before official announcements on salary matters are expected from interim president Delcy Rodríguez. This adds a layer of political pressure to the labor dispute. Patines issued a stern warning: if the government does not respond satisfactorily, May will be declared a month of "labor, political, and social struggle." This threat signals a potential for widespread disruption if the demands are not met.

Either they pay us what we are owed, as workers and as Venezuelans, or we will be, starting May 1, decreeing the month of May as the labor, political, and social struggle of this country.

— José PatinesPatines issued a warning about escalating protests if their demands are not met.

Furthermore, the union leader expressed deep dissatisfaction with the government's engagement, or lack thereof, with what he considers the true representatives of the working class. "Their duty was to sit down with us and not with the little group they have designated for these discussions," Patines asserted, accusing the government of engaging in dialogue with handpicked organizations rather than authentic union leaders who are actively protesting on the streets. This perceived exclusion fuels the workers' frustration and strengthens their resolve to continue their fight for fair wages and recognition.

Their duty was to sit down with us and not with the little group they have designated for these discussions, where they say and dispose of what they want from work.

— José PatinesPatines criticized the government's dialogue process, claiming it excludes genuine worker representatives.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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