Many believe that most problems could be solved if the company was headed by the workers themselves and not by the bureaucracy. ( Photo: Seb ) steel, cement, electricity, banking: the nationalization in Venezuela are increasing. The workers, expect more than improving their working conditions, they want to have their say.
Last May the Venezuelan government formalized the acquisition of the leading steel company in the country, Steel of the Orinoco (Sidor), for 1.97 billion dollars. A few days later, during a meeting with workers in the Guayana region (in the east), President Hugo Chávez announced the nationalization of four companies brickmaker (producing iron ore briquettes, read below). These measures claim while reorganizing the steel industry around the "socialist Guayana Plan 2019" with the active participation of workers.
The first step was taken April 9, 2008, with the announcement of the nationalization of Sidor after fifteen months of struggle by workers against Argentinean consortium Techint (owned by Ternium group, based in Luxembourg), who refused to improve working conditions while negotiating a new collective contract. Workers struggled to their wages, pensions, and for the integration of 9000 employees subcontractors. They had finally succeeded in imposing a balance of power and pull out a nationalization initially perceived as a possible bone of contention between Venezuela and Argentina for Kirchner.
"200% Better!"
A year after these events, much has changed in Sidor. "The benefits of workers improved by 200%. Before, we were marginalized, humiliated, killed by a multinational that we flew our lives, we stole everything, "says José Eduardo few minutes before taking his turn working between the dust, the din of machines and the grueling heat of ovens.
Sirio Velasquez, Office Manager, Human Resources, said at the time of Techint, given the working conditions, "there was a large turnover. Currently, there is a willingness to adapt jobs to age, experience and abilities of each worker. "In fact, many private partners have decided to no longer work with the Sidor nationalization after. "The number of subcontractors has increased from 630 to about 300. Many do not want to work with the state, others have refused to adapt to the new specifications," he says.
But working conditions were not the only change, wages have also experienced a significant change. Sirio indicates that unskilled workers affected by the Techint beginner 800 Bolivars (the equivalent of 400 francs), or the minimum wage. Today, that same worker earns 2,600 Bolivars. And a worker to exhibit Proudly his payslip that shows, after twenty years of seniority, salary of 5800 Bolivares. Nationalization is obtained at once something more concrete.
non-tenured workers were able, also, to verify its benefits. Gradually, the disparities between workers disappear. Some 1,300 contractors have been regularized, bringing the number of "sidor" in 6200.
Chávez's proposal
Other issues are still day. Not long ago, workers Sidor of paralyzing their new factory to demand unpaid benefits. They also protested to bring attention to security conditions, one of their comrades who died in the explosion of a furnace.
In addition, the company's production has been declining since the transition. And low aluminum prices on international markets does not facilitate the task.
Several meetings between different departments and workers led to the formation of fourteen working tables to analyze the flaws of each department and the priorities and investments needed in conjunction with management. Hugo Chávez had said in May the possibility for workers to elect their own leadership, in consultation with him. "I agree to begin to draft a law to regulate it" in order "to begin the transition," he had announced.
Many believe that most problems could be solved if the company was run by the workers themselves and not by the bureaucracy. "We have to draw a new path that capitalism is not a private but should not be either state capitalism, "said Jose Tata, head of the current Trade Union Alliance." Whether the state or be it private, if we do not get the active participation of workers on the production, there will be no real change in the company, nor in the country, "he assures.
Article published in the Swiss daily Le Courrier August 15, 2009
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