2024-09-03 16:03:34
The Ministry of Labor will intervene in the National Union of Workers of the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS), according to information provided by Minister Ivonne Núñez to the news portal Primicias.
This intervention arose after a request from five assembly members from Azuay: Adrián Castro, Sofía Sánchez, Diego Matovelle, Leonardo Berrezueta and Mabel Méndez.
The request was motivated by alleged cases of corruption, nepotism and influence peddling in the union, specifically pointing to national secretary Rosa Argudo.
Argudo admitted in a video that he has several relatives working at the IESS and defended the situation by explaining that it is common for many officials to have several relatives employed at the institution, and that they all entered through competitions.
Núñez said that the Ministry of Labor can intervene in any registered union if the corresponding reasons are met.
In addition, the Azuay assembly members filed a “notitia criminis” with the Prosecutor’s Office and warned of an alleged attempt by Rosa Argudo’s relatives to leave the country, although she ruled out this possibility and assured that she will present evidence to prove her innocence.
In a broader context, the Ministry of Labor is also investigating collective contracts in several public companies, including the Electric Corporation of Ecuador (CELEC), the National Electricity Corporation (CNEL), Petroecuador and the National Telecommunications Corporation (CNT).
Núñez said he hopes the Comptroller’s Office will declare these contracts, which would cost USD 300 million per year, null and void.