Forestry contractors question Economy Minister's diagnosis of unemployment in Biobío

From the Association of Forestry Contractors (Acoforag), its manager, René Muñoz, valued the possibility of replanting trees in areas where there were previously harvests. However, he regretted that the Minister of Economy, Daniel Mas, is not aware of what is happening in his sector.

"We believe it is basic and fundamental to replant. And, in that sense, the bill proposed by the Minister of Agriculture is very good news for the forestry sector. Does it have very good conditions to develop the forestry sector? Without a doubt, yes, but today the conditions are not normal," stated Muñoz, who added that the minister apparently is not aware of what is happening in the forestry sector.

Faced with the problems in these sectors, Minister Mas said that the crisis facing Biobío is due to market restrictions, alluding to the lack of jack mackerel and also the drop in the international price of cellulose.

Even so, he said the area is full of opportunities. "The fishing sector and its forestry area have had some market restrictions, but, on the other hand, the region is full of opportunities. It is a region where there was practically no mining and today the rare earths project has been approved. Apart from that, there is everything we are doing in naval construction, and we will continue to support that," said the Secretary of State.

More specifically regarding the situation of the forestry sector, which is facing layoffs and problems with the employment of forestry contractors, he said that the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing solutions and insisted on some alternatives and strengths of Biobío.

"We will come with support as a government, trying to emulate decree 701 for small and medium-sized enterprises. Minister Rau, of Labor, has an important package of labor flexibility measures," he stated.

It is worth remembering that the area is going through a crisis of employability and industry, with the risk of company closures and sectors that are carrying out layoffs due to current market conditions.

Source:Channel 9