Venezuela Leads The World In Supporting Workers With Its New Labor Law

[polly7]

By Arturo Rosales

Source: Axis of LogicThursday, May 10, 2012

http://www.zcommunications.org/venezuela-leads-the-world-in-supporting-workers-with-its-new-labor-law-by-arturo-rosales

Editor's Comment: Venezuela's National Assembly passed extraordinary new labor laws in support of workers on April 30, 2012. In a time when workers have had their rights stripped away and capitalist economies are collapsing throughout the United States and Europe, the Venezuelan government has managed to keep its economy thriving and has given the bounty to Venezuelan workers. We regard these new laws to be the most progressive labor legislation in the world today. We thank Axis of Logic Columnist, Arturo Rosales for his report and analysis.

- Les Blough, Editor

Arturo Rosales: This report does not include all the benefits to Venezuelan workers in the new labor law passed by the Venezuelan National Assembly but it provides the following key elements:

Maternity Leave: As soon as woman is pregnant she cannot be forced out of her job or paid off. She gets 6 weeks prenatal leave with pay from her employere and 20 weeks maternity leave and is guaranteed her employment for two years after the birth of her child. The father receives 6 weeks paternity leave with pay and is also guaranteed his job for two years following the birth. If the child is born handicapped the mother cannot be fired and has a job for life.

Social and Pension Payments: Pensioneers must be paid their due by their employer into a personal fund in a private or public bank or into a government program, depending on the choice of the worker. Double pensions have to be paid if a worker is dismissed unjustly. If a company goes bankrupt – either legally or illegally – the workers’ rights have to be paid before any proceeds from the bankruptcy can be paid to any other claims made by corporations or beneficiaries of the business. If the owners who claim bankruptcy do not have any money to pay the workers - their assets and properties will be seized on behalf of the worker.

more ....

[lunasun]

1. workers of the world unite!

Don't let corporate propaganda divide all workers
good for them
.....If the owners who claim bankruptcy do not have any money to pay the workers - their assets and properties will be seized on behalf of the worker. ....well, finally someone is making sense!!!

[polly7]

2. I know!

I'm so happy for the people there.

"2012 is the year for national elections in Venezuela. Some surveys give Chavez a 77% approval rating and a 64% vote intention despite 85% of the media being against Chavez and the Revolution. Go figure."

It's obvious why he has such support. I'm really, really hoping he can beat his cancer, but very glad these laws have made it through already.

[naaman fletcher]

9. huh?

that is the same as it is in the US, and it always has been. Workers wages are always come first in a bankruptcy.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Incomparable, isn't it? They are treating the workers of Venezuela with the respect they should.

It's really sad the oligarchs will never honestly pay the workers for the work they actually EARN. They only make a profit if they steal far more from the worker than he actually deserves. They use their lives, their energy, their hope, then discard them while stealing everything from them they can manage by witholding proper pay for work delivered, health insurance, retirement, worker's compensation, safety controls, respectful working conditions.

The man, woman who shows up to do the work which benefits the owners get swindled. Dirty.

The Venezuelan Assembly has done a wonderful job trying to look out for the citizens. Hope the oligarchs won't be able to destroy this progress on behalf of the people.

[newfie11]

4. Meanwhile back in America......

Teachers laid off, the unions are being push out.....

[nxylas]

5. Bbbbbut Chavez closed down a TV station!

What use are worker's rights when you have to buy a cable subscription to watch Fox News Venezuela?

[Justina For Justice]

6. On May 1, 2012, Chavez Government Increased Minimum Wage by 32%!

The minimum wage in Venezuela is the highest in South America. Workers are required to be paid a Christmas "bonus" of one month's salary and every worker receives a minimum of two weeks paid vacation, with longer vacations depending on seniority.

The maximum work week is 40 hours, although the government is hoping to reduce the work week to 35 hours to allow workers more time with their children and to participate in education and sports programs.

In Venezuela, the government's priority is improving the lives of its people, not filling the pockets of private corporations with profits. They are using the oil resources to provide free education to the doctoral level, technical training, and paying their students a stipend to go to school. Everyone has free health care, access to low cost food, and the government is building two million new homes and apartments for those who are inadequately housed. The government is providing low cost mortgages so people can own their new houses and apartments. Seniors and the disabled are now receiving monthly payments in addition to a a variety of services, such as needed housing repairs.

There is a damn good reason why President Chavez and his government have won 14 out of the last 15 national elections and will win the coming October presidential election as well. They are putting the needs and aspirations of the majority of their citizens before all else.

Time for people in the U.S. to wake up and demand that the wealth of our country be put in the service of treating our folks like human beings too.

[ChangoLoa]

10. "The minimum wage in Venezuela is the highest in South America".... I believe you're wrong. SOURCES?

What sources/ links do you have in support of your assertion?????

According to Ultimas Noticias which is considered to be a leftist newspaper (it was mildly chavista until recently, but has become more neutral), Venezuela would only be the 6th highest minimum wage in Latin America and the 4th highest (out of 8) among South American countries (april 2011). It is interesting to note that Venezuela was tied with Colombia, a poorer country, a year ago.

You could argue that the 1st May wage increase equilibrates the situation, but it would be wrong since inflation is around 25-30%. That means that the wage increase is merely enough to compensate for the constant fall in its purchasing power (what we call real salary).


Argentina: 1.740 pesos (435 dólares aprox.)
Chile: 172 mil pesos (350 dólares aprox.)
Panamá: 349 dólares
Brasil: 590 reales (350 dólares aprox.)
Colombia(*): 515 mil pesos (280,5 dólares)
Uruguay: 4.799 pesos uruguayos (240 dólares aprox.)
Perú: 600 soles (212 dólares)
Costa Rica: 221.400 colones (429 dólares aprox.)
México: 1.723,8 pesos (132,6 dólares aprox.)
Bolivia: 679 bolivianos (97 dólares aprox.)
Nicaragua: entre 1.717 y 4030 córdobas(78,2, hasta 183,5 dólares aprox.)
Cuba: 225 pesos cubanos (10 dólares aprox.)
Venezuela(**) 1.223 (284 aprox.)

http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/%C2%BFcomo-estan-los-salarios-minimos-en-latinoamerica-.aspx

On addition:
I've been teaching in the Venezuelan state University system since 1997. In Venezuela, free education to the doctoral level dates back to the end of the 1950's.

Concerning free health care for everyone, I really don't see it. If you get a cold or a stomach ache, it's ok, you can go to the free dispensary (Barrio Adentro). That's a great thing. But if you have a serious issue and need a hospital, it's a different story. In 13 years, this government hasn't built a single hospital in Caracas and all our health heavy infrastructure (such as the one concerning superior education) dates back to the 1960's-70's. When you go to a public hospital in Caracas, they usually don't even have cotton, alcohol or medicine. You need to buy those basic items because the state has cut the traditional public system funding, in favor of Barrio Adentro's dispensaries, which are the vitrine of the regime. Even for state workers, as me, there's not even a public insurance system. The state pays private companies with the public workers' contributions, so that they are partially covered. NOT A GREAT SYSTEM at all. I would dream of a real social state with a real public insurance system that responds for workers. Not only public workers, but all of them!

[joshcryer]

7. Interesting to see DUers rec a proposal with a Bush style privitization plan for pensions.

[naaman fletcher]

8. It's ok when Chavez does it

As I have noted, Chavez is like bush in many, many ways.