Lawmakers demand urgent measures amid labor crisis hitting the forestry sector in Biobío

The crisis in the forestry sector in Biobío is hitting workers hard. Hundreds of people have already been laid off from companies in the area, and this is compounded by the contractor sector, where more than 600 are experiencing the consequences of the industry's problems.

In this regard, Senator Gastón Saavedra of the Socialist Party believes it is necessary for the Ministry of Labor to be present in Biobío. Hence, the call for Minister Tomás Rau to take concrete actions. "In this case, the Minister of Labor should urgently come here to lead, as he sees fit, all of this social protection policy that must be provided to those who have lost their jobs," he stated.

Regional Governor Sergio Giacaman insisted that the government must have special considerations for the Biobío region, which is experiencing an industrial and forestry crisis, along with high unemployment rates. "But at the same time, bring together the productive sectors to generate a strategy, but also foster a conversation with the central level. We believe that the Biobío region requires different treatment. It is incomprehensible that the region, which is Chile's industrial capital, with its employment crisis, requires an extraordinary effort from the government."

Deputy Patricio Pinilla of the Christian Democratic Party for the provinces of Arauco and Biobío hopes the government will take charge of the problem and that working groups can be convened. "I believe there are a series of elements that should be addressed in a more joint manner. We will try to promote some kind of working group and also invite the authority, especially the government, which has much more responsibility in this area, to also be part of some kind of solution or containment for this crisis."

Meanwhile, the presidential delegate in Biobío, Julia Anativia, assured that they are concerned about the problem and that, for this reason, they have made contact with the companies. She added that the government is preparing a forestry promotion plan. "We have been in contact with companies, particularly with CMPC and also with Corma, which brings together all wood organizations. We are coordinating actions on security, which is important and is one of the factors affecting employment and the situation of these companies, as well as on fire prevention. Yesterday we had a meeting specifically with Corma, which allowed us to make progress on these matters."

Let us recall that through the Ministry of Agriculture, the government is reportedly preparing a forestry promotion plan, which would include a new law on this matter.

Source:Channel 9