This Sunday, August 20, will be the second time in a year that Kevin García has to be a member of the voting committee (JRV). He did it last February for the sectional elections, and he will do it again now for the upcoming presidential elections. Like six months ago, he, who works in a law office, had to work this Sunday as well, but he will not do it in order to fulfill his task of desk secretary and avoid the penalty that the National Electoral Council (CNE) levies on those who do not comply..

Article 292 of the Code of Democracy imposes fines for those who do not go to the polls that day: 10% of the single basic salary (that is, 45 dollars) and in the case of citizens who were elected as members of the reception committees. vote (MJRV) and who do not appear to perform this work, the fine is 15% of the basic salary, that is, they must pay 67.50 dollars.

Companies and workers change their routines, schedules and even their clothes to avoid robberies and extortion

“In February, I had to make up for the day I didn’t work, and I will do it this time too, not because my boss is forcing me, but of my own free will, because one day less affects my working hours and income,” said the young journalist and law student. , who this Wednesday, August 16, went to training for the electoral delegation of Guayas.

Like García and the law firm where he works, other workers and companies are now negotiating how to proceed during election day this Sunday. For example, the human resources executive of a beverage company stated that the election company always changes its workers’ schedules to make it easier for them to vote during the day.

“The strategy in the elections is that the shift that normally starts at 3:30 p.m. moves and leaves an hour earlier, the fast ones go ahead and the second shift enters an hour earlier, so that those who enter in the afternoon also have a chance at night. to vote in the morning, and those who come out at 2 p.m. have every chance to vote,” he explained.

3,950 educational institutions that will be electoral units will have virtual classes from August 16 to 21

As for the workers who must be at the table, he assured that the company does not pay CNE fines and that day gives them a day off to fulfill their democratic task.

From the business sector, Miguel Ángel González, president of the Ecuadorian Business Committee (CEE), assured that they always comply with the provisions established by the Labor Law.

Article 42, paragraph 9 of this rulebook stipulates that companies are obliged to provide employees with the necessary time to exercise the right to vote within four hours. “It is important to note that this leave is not reflected as a deduction in their salaries,” explained González.

In addition, the presenter added, in some cases companies provide transportation so that people can get closer to their polling stations. He indicated that in light of recent security events and with election day this Sunday, several companies have taken a number of measures aimed at preserving the integrity and well-being of their employees. Among these strategies, González highlighted the implementation of remote work as an alternative for those who work from the office.

Other companies are still in the process of coordinating with their employees, such as the case of one from the food and beverage sector consulted by this newspaper. “We are in the process, we will coordinate everything with our employees by the end of this week,” the company reported.

Cadena gives another day of rest to the table

The Favorita Corporation, which has 11,338 employees nationwide, reported that the company will allow those who were scheduled to work that day to leave to pay and then return to work, said Rubén Salazar, the company’s corporate manager.

In the meantime, the company gives the workers who have been appointed as members of the management board a day off so that they can fulfill their obligation, and they will also receive an additional day of annual leave.

Voting permit for workers outside the site

Francesca Ferrero, the owner of the Moro Grill restaurant chain, assured that her colleagues have the whole Sunday morning at their disposal, since the bars start visiting from noon.

“Otherwise, we support our employees according to the place where they vote, and if they have to be at the table, we give them permission with the corresponding support”, said the entrepreneur, adding that of her 36 employees, four will have permits that day: three who vote outside the city and one which should be on the table.

For the rest of the staff, in case they cannot pay in the morning, Ferrero has assured that the entry and exit times will be aligned with their place of residence.

What happens in bananas?

Sectors that traditionally mobilize large numbers of workers, such as the banana industry, are also coordinating their plans with their employees. However, Richard Salazar, executive director of the Ecuador Banana Marketing and Export Association (Acorbanec), said the advantage is that Sundays are not a very busy day for banana cutting, a farm-intensive activity. banana trees from Wednesday to Friday and some Saturdays.

However, workers and companies that are active on Sundays, which according to Salazar do not even account for 5% of total fruit exports, have already coordinated their activities for election day. “Most of the banana cutting takes place until Saturday. On Sundays, there are almost no cuts, and if they do come, they only go to vote and return to their activities. In the case of workers who have to be at the desk and have to work this Sunday, the companies will give them a day off, the leader added.