Unions

Suntracs plans protest for monday

Members of the Sindicato Único de Trabajadores de la Construcción y Similares (Suntracs) will hold demonstrations Monday to protest the government's lack of progress in hiring safety officials for construction sites.

The protest will begin at noon and will include a march to the Ministerio de Trabajo y Desarrollo Laboral (Mitradel).

Suntracs Secretary Génaro López said that the decision to protest was made because the government has not complied with a decree passed last year to appoint a safety officer for each building site. The cost of the program, which will be paid by Mitradel, is estimated at more than $1 million. Mitradel is funding the program through a special fee assessed to developers which ranges from $10,000 to $100,000.

According to López, about 500 such officials are needed.

Mitradel Ministro Edwin Salamin said that some of the safety officers have been hired. The ministry is waiting for additional funding to make the rest of the hires.