On Tuesday afternoon, the president of the National Association of Educators (ANDE), Gilberto Cascante, met with the Social Affairs Committee where he had to refer to bill 21.097 that seeks to define essential services, provided that their workers don’t go on strike.
During his speech, the head of the association was asked if school cafeterias should be considered essential services, which was rejected by the educator, who clearly stated that this is a service provided by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), but the teachers are not the ones in the kitchens.
Similarly, he was asked about whether education is an essential service or not. He said receiving quality education is students’ right, but if they don’t receive it
it could make them ignorant for life, but they won’t necessarily die for not having that right.”
According to information from the Minister of Education, Edgar Mora, during the most recent movement, 63% of teachers joined the strike, affecting 501 thousand students during a period of 60 days.
Cascante appealed to votes of the Constitutional Chamber where it is indicated that education is not an essential service, taking into account that these are related to cases where the life and health of a person is at risk.
For the union leader, the proposal is disproportionate and abusive against the right to strike, in addition to revengeful.
No right is above another. There is the right to free, compulsory and quality education, but it is not essential,”
said Cascante.
The initiative seeks to avoid the paralysis of the service when there are strikes. Specifically, the following are to be classified as essential services:
Health care and prevention.
The supply and commercialization of food.
The supply and commercialization of medicines.
The supply of drinking water and the disposal of sewage.
The collection and disposal of garbage.
The protection and care of the minor, the elderly and the helpless sick.
The supply and commercialization of electric service or other types of energy or fuels.
Public health care
The care of minors in the care network and in school cafeterias
Emergency care, the transport of patients, the public transport service in any of its modalities.
The operation of international and national airports
The public safety function
Public education
Loading and unloading at docks when dealing with goods on which the life, health or safety of people depend directly.
The jurisdictional resolution of conflicts
The celebration of national, cantonal, referendum, plebiscite or popular elections
All those that are determined in the judicial or regulatory way.