Valparaíso Mayor and Regional Governor Demand Answers from Presidential Delegate Over Sudden Job Losses in Proempleo Program

Original article: Valparaíso: Alcaldesa y Gobernador emplazan a Delegado Presidencial por desvinculaciones laborales «de un día para otro» en Programa Proempleo

Valparaíso’s Mayor, Camila Nieto, Regional Governor, Rodrigo Mundaca, and María Inés Marín, President of the Proempleo PIC 2 and PIC 4 Union, have condemned the abrupt layoffs of 63 workers from the Proempleo program, describing the situation as a «total injustice». These workers were engaged in various roles across the coastal municipality.

«We have decided to call for action alongside the governor to demand the reinstatement of the 63 workers, the majority of whom are women, who were dismissed suddenly without any justification or adherence to criteria established by the NGO managing the Proempleo program and the Presidential Delegation of Valparaíso,» the mayor asserted.

«As mayor, I cannot remain silent in the face of this injustice. I demand that the presidential delegate first provide the official information that has not reached me as mayor. Secondly, I call for a review of each case to clarify the criteria that led to this decision,» she added.

Nieto reminded that this program supports women in Valparaíso who have multiple needs, stating, «At the very least, there should be timely notice so that the municipality can prepare and these women can organize their families. It is a basic human consideration not to inform individuals who urgently need their jobs about layoffs just a day in advance.»

Governor Rodrigo Mundaca voiced criticism of the layoffs, questioning, «Why is this reduction concentrated in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar? In Valparaíso, there are 63 positions cut, while Viña del Mar is seeing 53.»

«It’s curious that the Proempleo program reduces its staff particularly in female leadership positions, where women are legitimately steering the destinies of both municipalities. There appears to be an ideological bias behind this decision. Why is there no reduction in Quilpué? Why not in Villa Alemana?» the regional authority challenged.

«The mayor has been requesting information from the Regional Presidential Delegate (Manuel Millones) since yesterday, and in politics, one cannot hide or avoid responsibility. We must face up to our duties, as those of us elected democratically are on the streets and always accountable,» Mundaca asserted.

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The municipality clarified that those laid off had been fulfilling crucial roles, particularly in the Community Development Directorate (Dideco).

«These are individuals who assist the citizens of Valparaíso, responding to social emergencies… There are women working in the maintenance of Parks and Gardens, as well as in operational, professional, and administrative areas of the municipality. This is a significant institutional impact on the municipality. We are left with 63 less personnel supporting municipal duties, and without any prior notification,» the mayor emphasized.

Consequently, Governor Mundaca announced, «We, as the Regional Government, along with Mayor Camila Nieto, will exercise all the oversight powers at our disposal. We are the ones financing the Proempleo program and hence deserve a sufficient and coherent explanation, as it cannot be that these 63 individuals, primarily women, were arbitrarily dismissed and cannot provide for their families every day.»

In this context, María Inés Marín, president of the Proempleo PIC 2 and PIC 4 Union, mentioned that the situation has been «very distressing for the workers involved. It’s regrettable because these are not just 63 individuals; they represent 63 families who will struggle to bring resources home in July.»

«It is essential to reinstate these workers who perform functions in municipal departments. These individuals cannot be left without their jobs,» the union leader expressed.

Marín shared details of how the workers learned about their layoffs, stating, «The Delegation was aware of the criteria that would be applied, but on the day of the layoffs, none of the previously communicated criteria from meetings with the Delegation and Proempleo representatives were respected.»

«We have not received any explanation, only that the person in charge of Proempleo said he would convene the NGO to clarify the sudden layoffs. Neither was the mayor notified, where we, as heads of households, operate,» the union president indicated.

We will continue to provide updates.