The initiative, presented by the Secretary of the Presidency, Alejandro Sánchez, and endorsed by President Yamandú Orsi, is seen by the labor movement as “aiming to open the door to the privatization of goods and services that are the rights of all Uruguayans.”

The labour Federation “rejects any initiative that jeopardizes the definition of a public company or threatens its integrity under the rhetoric of ‘innovation vs. stagnation,'” according to a statement released here.

“Public companies are a central element of the country’s sovereign development and an essential condition for access to rights for all citizens,” the statement emphasizes.

The PIT-CNT adds that the public debate on the role of state-owned enterprises must always be based on respect for historical citizen pronouncements, “which consolidated the principle of state ownership of strategic companies as an expression of national sovereignty.”

For the PIT-CNT, before promoting any type of “mechanism for attracting private savings through public companies,” it is necessary to “review and relax the current fiscal restrictions that limit the public sector.”

“This will create more equitable conditions so that these companies can compete on a level playing field with the private sector,” it emphasized.

abo/jav/oda/ool