Venezuelan electrical workers protest "degrading" pay and infrastructure decay

Electrical workers in Venezuela are denouncing "degrading" wages and the deteriorating infrastructure of the nation's power system. The protests come amid recent agreements between the interim government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, and the United States aimed at revitalizing the sector. Union representatives are calling for their inclusion in these U.S. agreements and in the consultation process for a reform of the Organic Law of the Electric System and Service. This reform seeks to attract private investment into the state-controlled industry. Alexis Rodríguez, general secretary of the electrical union in Miranda state, highlighted the "worrying" socioeconomic situation, with workers earning as little as two dollars per month before bonuses. He described a "generalized crisis" preventing workers from living with dignity and proposed a working group with authorities to address these issues. Rodríguez asserted that the industry "cannot take any more" due to mismanagement. He also announced a third communication to the Minister of Electric Energy, Rolando Alcalá, following previous submissions in February and April, and did not rule out "more forceful actions." Oswaldo Méndez, general secretary of the union in Lara state, expressed feeling excluded from discussions between Venezuelan and U.S. authorities. He criticized the exclusion of workers from agreements, stating, "the situation has reached a stage where we either adapt and are submissive to any announcement by the interim government, or we take a step forward so as not to waste away in our homes." Workers also reported a nine-year lack of uniform provision.

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The socioeconomic situation of the workers is too worrying, with salaries, he indicated, of two dollars, without including bonuses that do not have an impact on labor benefits.