Forestry Contractors Association accuses sector crisis due to closures and layoffs

The forestry contractors' union accuses a crisis in the sector that has led to closures of operations, contractor companies, and multiple layoffs.

The manager of the Forestry Contractors Association, René Muñoz, pointed out that this crisis involves several elements that the sector warned political authorities about, without any pronouncement or concrete measures to encourage reactivation so far.

Violence in the sector would be a significant factor

The union representative added that the violence they have suffered has also led to less investment and therefore less work, mainly in the Bío Bío and La Araucanía regions.

According to Muñoz, acts of violence, forest fires, and other factors "are reflected today in the crisis the forestry sector is experiencing, many contractor companies are closing, the workforce is being reduced," he said.

The leader indicated that reforestation has been steadily declining every year, and in this scenario, it is very complex to project the development of this productive sector. Today, the hectares planted by the industry are minimal compared to what was happening 20 years ago.

"For 15 years, forests have not been planted on the lands as before; an average of 40,000 hectares were planted in the 2000-2010 decade, today 1,500 hectares are planted," he stated.

"With that level of reforestation, there is no assurance of an asset base that allows industries to enter," he added.

The Forestry Contractors Association indicated that it is urgent to adopt measures that encourage investment; otherwise, there will be more company closures and the employment crisis will become more complex.

Source:BiobioChile