Wave of dismissals for political reasons denounced in Paraguay

Protests in parts of downtown Asuncion and denunciations to foreign delegations who have just visited Paraguay reflected the job insecurity unleashed by the wave of layoffs of workers and civil servants in public organizations.

Prensa Latina

Even newspapers themselves close to the government of Federico Franco, installed at the Government House after the removal of President Fernando Lugo, now report what they define as the "sweeping" of hundreds of people who are accused of being sympathizers of the Paraguayan left.

Days ago, groups like Guasu Front, a coalition of parties and social organizations supporting the ousted president, noted the beginning of the dismissal of a thousand workers from state agencies.

Those that were reached held protest marches that culminated in the submission of evidence about the irregular dismissal procedures to the delegations of European and South American parliamentarians in the nation at present to analyze the internal situation in Paraguay.

The persecutions included, as informed, organizations such as the Social Action Secretariat, news organizations and ministries, all for political or ideological reasons.

Now it was the turn of the Paraguayan part of companies that operate the large binational hydroelectric enterprises, Itaipu and Yaciretá, in which, in accordance with the announcement of the leaders, themselves nominated by the government, began the dismissal of hundreds of workers.

Only the administration of Itaipu today released information about the first hundred layoffs from a total of 500 of this first step, alleging that they are close to the government of Lugo or are not sympathetic to Franco.

Those dismissed noted that, in all cases, legal precepts in the notices are disregarded and people are dismissed with a note advising them of the fact.

For them, this is a question of the beginning of the largest known operation of trampling on labor rights and they announced the continuation of public protests against this situation.



Translated from the Portuguese version by:

Lisa Karpova
Pravda.Ru