NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/10363

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From: [e-mail] (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Proceso 547: Labor
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/** reg.elsalvador: 132.0 **/
** Topic: Proceso 547: Labor **
** Written  1:20 pm  Jan 25, 1993 by [e-mail] in cdp:reg.elsalvador **
From: [e-mail] (Centro de Informacion Documentacion y Apoyo a la Invest. - UCAJSC)
Subject: Proceso 547: Labor

Center for Information, Documentation and Research Support (CIDAI)
Central American University (UCA)
San Salvador, El Salvador

PROCESO 547
January 20, 1993

LABOR:
A new year for labor

     January 1993 opened in a climate of profound concern for the
Salvadoran popular movement: the "incomplete" purification of the
Armed Forces (Proceso 545, 546). This threat sparked great efforts
on the part of grassroots organizations to denounce possible
maneuvers by the two formerly warring sides to half-comply with, or
violate, the Chapultepec accords. A series of press conferences
have been held in January by the UNTS, CPDN and UNOC, as well as
paid advertisements and protest marches (January 12 and 16).
     The UNOC has been particularly critical during this crisis,
and has constantly complained that the FMLN is not helping to
comply with the accords; in particular, the UNOC has insinuated
that the Front's top leadership has negotiated the list of military
officers appearing in the Ad Hoc Commission's report. For that very
reason, grassroots organizations have once again demanded that the
report be made public.
     The above conflict highlights some important issues. In the
first place, the socio-political work of the grassroots movement
did not end with the cease-fire. There is a need for a decisive and
constant presence to demand that the transformation of Salvadoran
society follow a truly democratic path. This transition cannot be
left entirely in the hands of the political elites, as we have seen
over recent weeks. These elites appear to be much more beholden to
party interest than national interests. This is why a presence on
the part of the grassroots movement is so necessary.
     The current turn of events had already been foreseen last
October by some popular organizations. At the time, they demanded
that the Ad Hoc Commission report be made public, since keeping it
secret opened the way for manipulation (Proceso 536). However, none
of those who had the necessary influence applied enough pressure.
The consequences of negotiating the list behind the backs of the
people is now more apparent. This is why the popular movement has
the obligation to continue demanding true transparency in the
execution of the peace accords, and greater popular participation
in the process. The consequences of new confidential negotiations
could be truly regrettable.
     Furthermore, the year began with a series of labor conflicts.
UNOC announced that workers were fired in at least four government
agencies. In the Tourism Institute there were 226 firings, 30 in
CONADES, 14 in CONACYT and 32 in the Ministry of the Treasury. The
latter's workers launched an open-ended strike on January 13, and
threaten to begin a hunger strike if the Ministry does not give in
to their demands. According to the union, AGEMHA, the employees
were fired last December during the holiday vacation.
     The vendors stationed along Calle Rubn Dar!o (downtown San
Salvador) have also been waging a running battle with municipal
authorities since the beginning of the month, over the issue of how
downtown is to be reorganized. So far, city hall has carried out
two evictions of street vendors, one on the 11th and one on the
17th. In both, there were complaints lodged against the riot police
and municipal police. The problem requires the full attention of
the nation's social movement, since so many are being harmed by
city hall's new rules. Furthermore, instead of seeking a viable and
long-term consensus solution, the mayor appears to be bent on using
the reorganization of downtown as a feather in his cap for his bid
to become presidential candidate for the ARENA party.
     The year has begun with a burst of organizing activities.
Every one of the areas mentioned has its own demands. It is urgent
that the activities of the popular movement show themselves capable
of responding to the demands of the moment.


** End of text from cdp:reg.elsalvador **