Laclase.info
August 17, 2024. “Workers from different PDVSA areas in the country are calling to inform us of the massive layoffs being carried out by the board of directors. This is a political retaliation against numerous workers who, in the framework of the recent electoral process, demonstrated against Maduro’s government through social networks, in whatsapp groups and in other ways”. José Bodas, general secretary of the United Federation of Oil Workers of Venezuela (FUTPV), made a public statement in these terms in view of the serious situation developing in our main industry.
In Anzoátegui alone, in the different areas such as the refinery and in the upgraders of Jose’s joint ventures, more than 30 workers have been laid off. Nineteen in San Tomé, belonging to health, production operations and maintenance sectors. One layoff in Puerto La Cruz refinery, three in Petro Roraima, two in Petro Cedeño, one in Petro Monagas, four in Petro Piar, two in Sinovensa.
The dismissals are preceded by abusive and illegal methods such as the inspection workers’ computers and telephones; their “statuses” in social networks, or their interactions in whatsapp and telegram groups.
This political persecution is not limited to PDVSA, it is taking place in ministries, in the state iron and aluminum companies, in the Caracas Metro, and in all public entities. The National Press Workers Union (SNTP) has publicly denounced the dismissal of 40 workers in Venezolana de Televisión (VTV, state owned television) and Radio Nacional (state owned radio station).
All this is part of a repressive wave unleashed by the security forces, after the massive protests that took place last July 29 against the scandalous fraud carried out by the government. In addition to the layoffs, 24 people have been killed and thousands arrested.
“We demand Wills Rangel and the directing board of the FUTPV declare an emergency and speak out against the dismissals. We also demand the Ministry of Labor take action and verify every case on an individual basis. Dismissals are being made arbitrarily without complying with the law, only for political reasons. Retired workers are being removed from their homes in the oil fields, many of whom have been there for 7, 8 and more years. We denonuce they are removing them now as a political retaliation against these fellow workers”. Bodas also called on the oil workers to organize to denounce and reject the dismissals.
While the government is carrying out this persecution for political reasons, “the oil workers do not see any justification for the non-renewal of the collective bargaining contract which has been expired for three years”, added the union leader.
Likewise, the oil union leader denounced that “sectors of the pro-government bureaucracy of the Bolivarian Socialist Workers’ Union, are spreading messages in whatsapp groups affirming there is a need for ‘clean up in PDVSA’, which is nothing more than persecution, a politically motivated razzia against the oil workers”.
Bodas concluded by affirming that “we make these denunciations from a position of total political independence regarding the parties and the candidate of the bosses’ opposition, whom we oppose and with whom we have nothing in common, nonetheless we defend the democratic, political and labor rights of the workers”.
Original in Spanish published by Laclase.info
Translator’s note:
PDVSA is the state owned oil company. However, the oil industry in Venezuela is not state owned, as PDVSA is associated with US, European and Asian multinationals like Chevron, Repsol, ENI, Total, Lukoil and others in joint ventures known as empresas mixtas. Wills Rangel is the president of the FUTPV and a member of the official party. José Bodas is a member of the left-opposition and the Socialism and Freedom Party and the C-CURA union tendency.
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