The Federation of Civil Construction Workers of Peru (FTCCP) announced that around 10,000 workers in the sector will mobilize on Tuesday, September 5 after failing to reach an agreement with the Peruvian Construction Chamber (Capeco) on the request for a salary increase.
Luis Villanueva Carbajal, general secretary of the FTCCP, warned that —after seven meetings— the direct dealing table between the union and Capeco finally broke off the dialogue. Now, the Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion (MTPE) has called a conciliation meeting for Thursday, September 7, which would be the last step to arrange.
Within the framework of collective bargaining, the initial demand for the increase is S/10 for workers, who are bricklayers, carpenters, painters, electricians, plumbers, plumbers, drivers, mechanics, and other specialized employees; S/9 for the officers, those assistants to the operators; and S/8 for the laborer, who performs various support tasks.
However, Capeco offered S/1.20 for the operator, S/1 for the officer and S/0.80 for the laborer. Then he increased his proposal to S/3, S/2.35 and S/2, respectively, which is still not even half of what the workers are requesting.
“We consider that proposal to be very low. It is true that there was a contraction in the sector (construction) in the last five months, but also in the previous seven months it remained at a good pace,” Villanueva told La República.
He also stressed that the mobilization seeks the union to improve its proposals. “We can make a readjustment like any negotiation,” he added.
For his part, Guido Valdivia, executive director of Capeco, acknowledged that the rise in inflation affects citizens, and that he hopes that the business sector will reach an agreement. “The situation in the sector is complicated. The ability of companies to assume new obligations is reduced, we hope that the federation understands, “said Valdivia.
It should be noted that the construction sector recorded a cumulative decline of 9.8% in the first half of 2023, according to Capeco estimates.
Likewise, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) expects that, by the end of 2023, construction activity will have a 3.5% drop.
positive advances
Despite this, the FTCCP has reached an agreement with the union to increase the technical training of the workers through the National Training Service for the Construction Industry (simple) and Conafovicer.
Likewise, the payment for daily mobility of those who travel from home to the work has been standardized.
It was also agreed to implement subsidies for those who cover the night shift, carry out highly specialized jobs or carry out risky activities, such as in buildings at a level below the second basement or more.
The keys
Meeting. The concentration for the mobilization in Lima will be in Plaza Dos de Mayo.
Labor. Employment in the construction sector decreased by 19.3% between May and July, according to the INEI.
Source: Larepublica
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