“Decent wages” and “That the siege of the United States cease”, demand workers from Venezuela

Workers of hospitals and basic companies of Venezuela marched this Sunday in Caracas to demand “fair wages” while thousands of Chavistas also mobilized on Labor Day to celebrate the “Economic recovery” that Venezuela experiences.

The two marches, called separately, did not coincide. At a point in eastern Caracas, Yadira Rosales, a 59-year-old bioanalyst, walked along with hundreds of her colleagues raising a banner with which she demands a “living wage” after 28 years in public administration.

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“My salary averages between 35 and 40 dollars”said Yadira, an employee of a public hospital in Caracas.

Waving a huge Venezuelan flag, workers walked to the sound of slogans: “And no, and no, and I don’t want to leave, I want a decent salary to stay in my country”, “People, listen, join the fight”, Y Long live the workers!” were some.

Pablo Zambrano, union leader in the health sector, pointed out that the rights of workers “are kidnapped by the government”, while pointing out that the political crisis that Venezuela It has taken its toll on the workers.

“Sanctions serve the government to do nothing, and those who call themselves the interim government want to come to power with the help of sanctions. They are irresponsible.”he said in reference to opposition leader Juan Guaidó, self-proclaimed president in charge since January 2019, although in practice power is exercised by Nicolás Maduro.

Representatives of government-run steel companies traveled to Caracas to participate in the demonstration.

“Militarism has swallowed the basic companies, placing military presidents has been deteriorating them, cobbler to their shoes”, declared Pedro Rondón, noting that steel production has fallen by 80%.

“This requires a great dialogue and we bet on that, we want to go to a dialogue process” with the government, Rondón remarked.

“Venezuela is going to prosperity”

Workers of Petróleos de Venezuela, SA, PDVSA, participate in a May Day demonstration in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP/Ariana Cubillos/)

Thousands of government supporters gathered in the center of Caracas. Laura Ribas, an employee of the state oil company PDVSA, was among the attendees.

“Despite the economic war there is a people here marching”she said while dancing excitedly holding a banner with photos of chavismo officials.

Edgar Parra, a 66-year-old cultist, also participated in the official rally, who attributes to the “siege” of the United States the economic crisis that pulverized the income. “Unfortunately the US empire has besieged us,” he told AFP.

“We know that the worker’s purchasing power is far below, but little by little the country’s economy has been restored Y I hope that soon we will have a fair salary”, said Parra, dressed in a jacket with the colors of the flag of Venezuela.

Lenyn Campo, who attended the rally with an image of her father next to the late President Hugo Chávez, celebrated the advances in salary matters, with the most recent increase decreed last March that brought the minimum wage to about 28 dollars, after being in less than two dollars.

“I am proud to accompany this march in which dignity is given to our workers with a new salary increase Y with an improvement”he told AFP.

Addressing the crowd, Maduro assured that “Venezuela goes to prosperity after the “economic storm” caused by financial sanctions from Washington that include an oil embargo in place since 2019.

“This second half of 2022 we will be twice as better economically, the recovery is just beginning”said the president.

“We just started the recovery of the salary that we will take it to the highest level, sooner rather than later”he promised.

Source: Elcomercio