In an interview for EcuadorTv, the Minister of Labor, Ivonne Núñez, referred to the Popular Consultation, in particular to the question regarding changes in the Labor Code. The official assured that with the hourly contract “it will benefit more than 70% of the economically active population that does not have a job in Ecuador.”
He indicated that, according to the INEC, of the 8,300,000 economically active people in the country, approximately 3,000,000 have adequate employment, the rest of the citizens would be in the group of underemployed, unemployed or in “the sector of informal”. For the latter, the “policy of formalization of informal workers” would be implemented.
Minister Núñez recalled that, in Ecuador, hourly work already exists and is called “permanent partial contract.” She insisted that with these reforms what the Government seeks is that those who are completely unemployed have the possibility of entering the world of work through hourly contracts.
In addition, he clarified that this type of contracts must be registered with the Ministry of Labor so that those who access this type of contract have rights such as insurance affiliation, payment of tenths and vacation pay.
Regarding the remuneration that those hired by the hour should receive, Ivonne Núñez explained that the Unified Basic Salary (SBU) that governs Ecuador is taken as a reference, that is, USD 460.
Minister Núñez indicated that in the event that the yes vote on this question wins, there is a period of 30 days, including Saturdays and Sundays, for it to come into effect.
Complaint against Rafael Correa.
In other topics, Minister Ivonne Núñez referred to the complaint she filed against former President Rafael Correa for alleged betrayal of the Homeland. The Secretary of State clarified that she made this complaint in a personal capacity and that she hopes that academics will join it.
She assured that she feels outraged by the former president’s statements in which he asks that the country be sanctioned for what happened at the Mexican embassy. As such, she assured that after investigating the Comprehensive Organic Penal Code she found the pertinent provision that when panic is incited it is the subject of treason.
She announced that this process is under preliminary investigation in the State Attorney General’s Office, and she hopes that the elements of conviction are found for it to move forward. Regarding the request to close accounts on social networks, the official indicated that this request is legal and that she knows that citizens are already asking for this account to be closed.
