Raúl Ledesma: “There are positive figures in the right employment”

Ecuadornews:

The Minister of Labor, Raúl Ledesma, during a visit to Diario EXPRESO highlighted the benefits of the new modalities of labor contracts and clarified that it is the right job that has risen.

Some entrepreneurs question the new labor contracts, what is the point of view of the ministry?

The new modalities of labor hiring have three important points: they have a social impact, they lead to the generation of new jobs or the regularization of jobs. The formalization of employment is not a minor thing, on the contrary; underemployment is the worst job insecurity because it does not have Social Security, nor constitutional guarantee, nor content of the Labor Code.

And the other two benefits?

Second, there is a productive impact, for the employer sector it is useful. Today the contracts that are contained in the Labor Code do not even reach 1% of registration, means that they are not used. The idea is to create tools that the private sector uses, in order to be able to make viable the occupied work places.

And the third is a positive impact for the workers. All modalities have additional economic benefits from 15% at hourly value. This is important, because it improves and compensates the worker who does not have permanent employment. The contracts are aimed at extraordinary and temporary activities within the ordinary course of business. But, temporary throughout the year, not every day of the year and not all the hours of the day. This allows, for example, rice farmers to hire fumigators; to the banana growers, cutters, etc.

So, what is the concern?

Workers are rightly concerned that the standard is abused. And we have been clear, we have computer tools, which serve to prevent the migration of contracts. That is, they do not start to take some people from one place to put them in another. And we will be very attentive, we have made an observatory next to the workers centers. If we see that corrective action must be taken, we will do so immediately. The important thing is to give ideas to solve the employability in the country. If these ideas are not adequate, they will know how to remove them and correct them. But we must move forward, because of an economically active population of more than 8 million we have more than 4‘500,000 between unemployment and underemployment that need an answer to improve their work.

Regarding the employment figures questioned by the Chamber of Commerce of Guayaquil, what is your position?

The Chamber has the right to interpret the figures as they understand, we do not agree with their interpretation. But, we understand your concern; which is that there are more new jobs and more investment in Ecuador. And from the Ministry of Labor we are doing our part.

Why do not you agree with the figures of the Chamber?

They are talking only about new jobs and we talk about adequate employment. The figures are good, Ecuador is moving towards a process of correct employability, it was distorted; we believe that it is difficult, given the economic reality in which President Moreno received the country. That is why it is difficult to achieve with all the aspirations that were before and during the campaign. However, it must be recognized that the figures for adequate employment have improved. I invite everyone to propose ideas and support to move the country forward. It should also be taken into account that from June to December 2017 more than 500,000 contracts have been registered, it is not less important that contracts be regularized. (I)

Source: http://www.expreso.ec/economia/empleo-trabajo-cifras-estadisticas-raulledesma-BY2177650