IFT workers protest at the Senate to demand labor guarantees (Video)

MEXICO CITY (apro).- In the context of the latest discussion on the Telecom Law, dozens of workers from the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) demonstrated at the Senate of the Republic to demand a meeting with a senator to provide them with certainty regarding a reservation to the initiative that would guarantee their labor rights.

Dozens of workers seeking to meet with a senator demonstrated at gate four of the Senate, chanting, "Ten years of work shouldn't be thrown to hell" and "I respect your decree, respect my rights."

Also symbolically, the workers set up an information table to educate people about their compensation entitlements.

Arturo Dávila Ramírez, an IFT inspector and inspector who also spoke in the Senate, explained to Proceso that they are simply seeking to meet with a senator to ensure that the reform proposes and approves the reservation that guarantees their labor rights.

"Although the constitutional reform states that our labor rights will be respected and we will be transferred to the new regulatory body, this new initiative, which has not yet been voted on, does not clarify how, how, or which body would address this.

"We've already sat down to work with the technical secretaries of the Joint Committees that approved this initiative, as well as with Senator Mier's team, his secretary, and some of his advisors. So, they're already aware of our demands; I think they're aware of them. Now what we're looking for is to close the deal or take the next step, which is to reach an agreement with a senator who will move this forward," he explained.

He emphasized that there are approximately 1,200 workers facing job uncertainty, with no indication of how the transition to the new institution will be carried out, and if they are laid off, which agency will pay their severance pay.

"This initiative includes an eighth transitional article, which specifically addresses the labor rights of the Institute's workers. It mentions that workers' rights will be respected, but it doesn't mention how or at what level. And if the law itself were to extinguish the Institute, we don't know who will actually be in charge, who will be responsible for us once this law is passed to address our labor rights," he explained.

Finally, Arturo Dávila reiterated that the workers are not against the reform or this transition; they simply ask for clarity regarding our rights and certainty in the transition in the best way for them.