Subsidies, between protest and dialogue

Ecuadornews:

The Government maintains the dialogue strategy. Now seeks to establish talks with all sectors to withdraw fuel subsidies. According to the Minister of Finance, Richard Martinez, the decision of the Executive is the focus, and with the dialogues, he will look for how to do it. Already there are two sectors that have excluded themselves from the talks.

The government’s decision is leveraged in its own surveys, which have not been made public, and in which they say that most people would agree with the targeting.

Employers, workers and transporters of the heavy sector are willing to talk with the Executive. They consider that it is necessary to establish mechanisms that lead to overcoming the crisis in the country. Although they are aware that alternatives should be sought that do not affect the neediest classes.

“The subsidies have to be directed to the poorest and they have to be temporary, and obviously focused, and what is needed is to have the appropriate technology so as not to affect public transport, to transport goods and in this way to focus the price and not affecting poorer sectors, “Patricio Alarcón, president of the Ecuadorian Business Committee, told EXPRESO.

Luis Felipe Vizcaíno, head of heavy transport in the country, also agrees that the dialogue process be opened. He pointed out to this medium that they consider that the diesel subsidy should be maintained, focused on what transportation is. Believes that the rise of diesel would bring inflation and direct impact on the economy of Ecuadorians.

Another sector that is open to discuss is the Labor Parliament. The leader Jaime Arciñegas is a supporter of the dialogue, which they announce will attend with proposals. “In the diesel issue, we have to study a lot and determine the use of high-end vehicles or companies; and on the subject of gas, the Government should take advantage of the potential of hydroelectric generation, and deliver 100 kilowatts to each family, without putting up, in order to establish a range and promote induction, “he said.

Meanwhile, the Workers’ Unity Front (FUT) and the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) have already announced that they will not lend to talk about withdrawal of subsidies. Moreover, the workers will test their mobilization capacity tomorrow in Quito. They called for a march in the afternoon against “neoliberal measures”.

Meanwhile, the indigenous leadership, which in recent months has obtained some government benefits, such as bilingual intercultural education, the headquarters, among others, will meet at a national convention tomorrow in Macas to decide the protest actions against the measures and the Government. (I)

Source: https://www.expreso.ec/actualidad/subsidios-propuestas-finanzas-economia-gobiernoecuador-LY2346872