Original article: Valparaíso: CUT convoca a trabajadores, estudiantes y pobladores a marchar el 1° de mayo contra el ajuste fiscal y las medidas regresivas del gobierno de Kast As part of International Workers’ Day, the Provincial Council of CUT Valparaíso, along with various union, grassroots, and student organizations, has called for a significant mobilization on Friday, May 1. The march is set to begin at 10:30 AM at Plaza Sotomayor, proceeding to the intersection of Pedro Montt Avenue and Carrera Street, where a stage will be set up featuring live music and a children’s parade. Organizers describe the event as «festive, family-oriented, and combative.
». In a press briefing, CUT emphasized that this call is a response to the government’s announced 3% fiscal adjustment, the Ministry of Finance’s Circular No. 16, which cuts over 57 social and educational programs, and the miscellaneous law proposal that reduces taxes for the wealthiest while cutting social spending.
The CUT Provincial Council warned that «this adjustment is neither temporary nor unavoidable; it is a continuation of a neoliberal model that burdens those who rely on their labor to survive. ». Alexis Antinao, Secretary-General of CUT Provincial Valparaíso, highlighted the implementation of the 40-hour workweek law as a focal point, stating, «Let’s hope this government does not impose restrictions.
No negotiations occurred in the public sector, and this is a process we will need to advocate for. ». Regarding the minimum wage, Antinao noted, «The CPI in March was 2.
5% and projections for this month are between 1. 5% and 1. 8%.
The minimum we will require is 5%. When fuel prices increase, governments must protect the basic basket with state contributions. Meanwhile, the government sends a miscellaneous law that lowers taxes for the super-rich, while Falabella’s profits surged over 170% and Cencosud’s by over 80%.
». Along similar lines, Deputy Luis Cuello (PC) stated, «This moment is crucial to demonstrate unity within the social movement, to take to the streets alongside the labor movement to defend social gains, especially to prevent the enactment of a regressive project that directly attacks the working class while benefiting the wealthiest. ».
Additionally, Susana Cristi, acting president of ANEF Valparaíso, expressed her total opposition to the public policies being implemented by this government. She highlighted the 3% budget cut and 140 measures aimed at undermining the state, diminishing crucial developments in health, education, and prevention. «2,000 children from Junaev will lose access to food.
We urge all public and private workers to join the streets of Valparaíso. ». Meanwhile, Vielka Araya, president of Ajunji Valparaíso, denounced the significant regression occurring in early childhood education due to the implementation of Decree 315, which reduces personnel staffing.
She stated, «This measure negatively impacts children with special educational needs, increases workload, and raises accident rates among children due to lack of staffing. It is a regression we will not accept, and we thus call on all workers to join this large march on May 1. ».
From the health sector, Gonzalo Calisto, director of Fedeprus Valparaíso-San Antonio, reminded that «Dipres released a report indicating program cuts, primarily affecting primary health care. We urge the Minister of Health to fiercely defend the health budget as the Ministry of Security did. ».
«If we cannot replace workers, public health will continue to deteriorate. They want to privatize public health, subsidize it, and outsource it, as seen in Félix Bulnes Hospital. We need to mobilize thousands or millions in the streets to make the government aware that the working class is organized,» asserted Calisto.
Raúl Delgadillo, representing Fenats Unitaria in the Valparaíso region, echoed similar sentiments, recalling that «Carlos Van Buren Hospital is undergoing privatized maintenance. Workers in plumbing, carpentry, and painting are working night shifts for an external company, and the experience has been poor. We call on everyone to fill the streets to proclaim that this government is not serving us as it should.
». Finally, Javier Tapia, leader of Afumuvi, expressed that he represents «the sentiments of the national assembly of municipal workers. We are given new responsibilities like public safety, but without funding for personnel.
Additionally, the reduction of property taxes means fewer resources for municipalities. ». Tapia emphasized that «In previous administrations, we had working groups; under this government, there is nothing.
That’s why we call on all municipal sectors to flood the streets on May 1. ». Students Join the Movement Meanwhile, from the student movement in Valparaíso, Mickhol Bahamondes, Secretary of Extension and Culture for FEUV, read a document on behalf of the federation, expressing their support for CUT’s call.
«We are students working to pay for rent, transportation, and expenses not covered by any scholarship. We are sons and daughters of the working class. Last week, we learned about Circular 016, which eliminates over 57 programs from the Ministry of Education, including school meals, the PACE program, the indigenous scholarship, and support for state universities,» Bahamondes stated.
«Education is not an expense; it is a right, and rights should not be cut to finance tax breaks for large corporations. We invite the entire university community to join the student block at Plaza Sotomayor at 10:30 AM. The student struggle and the workers’ struggle are one and the same,» concluded the student leader.
We will continue to provide updates.