Prison Workers Union Seeks Urgent Action on Working Conditions
The union representing prison workers is calling for swift action on their request to improve working conditions, which was first made in 2022. According to the union, the current conditions do not meet minimum health standards.
Recognition of Unhealthy Work Environment
The petition aims to have prison work recognized as an unhealthy occupation. However, the union claims that the relevant commission has not conducted inspections to assess the working conditions.
Reports and Evidence
Germán Gutiérrez, a representative of the prison workers union, highlighted the various reports and evidence presented to support their claims. These include contributions from the Parliamentary Commissioner, interviews with other unions within the Ministry of the Interior, and a report on the building conditions of Comcar, the largest prison in the country.
According to the report, modules 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, and 11 of Comcar are uninhabitable, putting 4,000 inmates at risk of fire and health hazards. The union argues that these conditions also affect the health and well-being of prison workers.
Request for Meeting with Labor Ministers
The union plans to request a meeting with both the outgoing and incoming Ministers of Labor to discuss their situation. They emphasize that a prison reform cannot be successful without a special labor reform for prison officials, which would provide them with protective laws and better working conditions.
Urgent Need for Action
The union has held periodic meetings with authorities but is now seeking a definitive decision on their situation. They stress that the current conditions are harmful to their health and have already resulted in the loss of lives.