The Central Puerto Rican of Workers (CPT) this Monday rejected the order that Judge Laura Taylor Swain issued on December 24, 2020 to prohibit the government of Puerto Rico from enforcing laws signed by the former governor, Wanda Vázquez. .
The president of the CPT, Emilio Nieves Torres, urged Governor Pedro Pierluisi to defend “Law 176 of 2019 which restores the holidays and sick leave shortened in the 2017 legislation for workers. Tax Audit Board promoting the repeal of public policies established by workers’ rights legislation. Under the mandate of Wanda Vázquez, the Office of Administration and Transformation of Human Resources of the Government of Puerto Rico has issued a memorandum approving the judge’s order. The current governor, Pedro Pierluisi, is responsible for implementing respect for public policies unanimously approved by the legislature ”.
“This situation represents the first line of fire for the legislature and the governor to enforce Puerto Rico’s public policy for the Fiscal Control Board. In the case of the legislature, three parties have pledged to withdraw the so-called labor reform. The PPD, PIP and MVC together received the support of 60 percent of the electorate. Therefore, the majority of the people and the legislature support the actions aimed at restoring workers’ rights, including Law 176-2019 which the Council challenged before Judge Taylor Swain, ”the union leader said in a written statement.
Nieves Torres added that “the governor’s challenge is to defend the legislative and executive authority of the government of Puerto Rico before the Fiscal Control Board and the Court. In his government program, Pedro Pierluisi commits himself to convey the message to the Council “so that he recognizes that according to section 205 of PROMESA, the elected government has the power to direct public policy without intervention. That is, after compliance with the repeal of the labor reform, the governor and the legislature must oppose the intervention of the council. The governor and legislators have a responsibility to defend public policies approved under the criteria of economic development based on legislation that implements social justice for workers and people. The workers will be willing to give that fight from the street. It’s up to the governor and legislature to take any necessary action, including going to Congress to defend Puerto Rico.
Regarding Law 176 of 2019, the union leader criticized the board’s position that holidays and sick days make staff less efficient, as “absurd and incorrect”. The truth is that reducing vacation leave from 30 to 15 days is an act that does not value the physical and mental rest that an employee needs to renew themselves in terms of efficient productivity. Moreover, holidays promote family, social and cultural values that are necessary in every society ”.
“On the other hand, sick leave is a necessary tool to protect the health of the employee, his / her colleagues and the people to whom a service is provided. The reality of the pandemic has underscored the importance of recovery and expansion of absenteeism. Therefore, based on the principles of social justice, it is urgent to defend both licenses. The ball, to defend workers’ rights, rests with the legislature and the governor. We hope they act according to the historic moment and the message of the people in the last election, ”concluded Emilio Nieves.
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