The government has revealed that there are about 3.7 million independent workers in Venezuela who could potentially benefit from the reforms to the Law on Social Security in Venezuela, enacted on April 21 by President Hugo Chávez.
Venezuelanalysis.com brings readers this detailed, chapter by chapter summary of the new Organic Law of Work and Workers (LOTTT), a law which has been under discussion in both the national assembly and by workers and movements since 2003. The law contains 554 articles.
Following the passing of the new labour law yesterday, Venezuelans celebrated May Day en masse today, many catching buses to Caracas for the main march, others joining the smaller marches in cities and towns around the country.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has signed into law the country’s new labour legislation after a consultation process with the Venezuelan public which lasted nearly five months. The law will see the working week reduced to 40 hours and maternity leave increased to 6.5 months.
We conducted this interview in order to convey the opinion of Stalin Perez Borges, national coordinator of Marea Socialista [Socialist Tide] in relation to the creation of the new labour law and unity within the union movement.
The Venezuelan foreign minister, Nicolas Maduro, has confirmed that the final stage of drafting the country’s new labour law is now underway. Expected to be passed on the 1st of May by presidential decree, the new labour law is a total overhaul of Venezuela’s existing employment legislation and will cover everything from maternity leave to organisation in the workplace.
Recently returned President Hugo Chavez addressed thousands of supporters on Saturday on the importance of the coming Venezuelan presidential elections and his state of health. Meanwhile, workers handed over 6,000 proposals to be integrated into the proposed new Labour Law.
A government decision to dismiss Elio Sayago from his post as worker-president at the state aluminium company, CVG Alcasa, has been met with widespread rejection from workers and social movements alike.
