Pages

Monday, March 23, 2015

IMF Neoliberal Structural Adjustments = Increased Unemployment Rates For Public Workers + More Poverty in Honduras


Late last year, 1600 members of the Workers’ Union of the National Electrical Energy Company (STENEE) were illegally suspended by the Honduran government. Tomorrow, the workers that were suspended and not reintegrated since then, are required to present themselves at their corresponding workplaces around the country.

Uncertainties about the status of their jobs are high and many workers expect that tomorrow they will be formally laid-off, similar to what occurred with approximately 550 suspended public workers from the Honduran Telecomunications Company (HONDUTEL) in February 2015. On February 5th when suspended HONDUTEL workers presented themselves to HONDUTEL offices around the country, Honduran military stood at the gates of the buildings while each employee were directed individually to a line of lawyers and HONDUTEL management requesting their resignation in exchange for receiving a severance package within one year. Many refused the offers given the illegality of the suspensions and the unwillingness of HONDUTEL management and the government to negotiate.

Photo caption: Lawyers and HONDUTEL management waiting for suspended workers to fire them after months of being suspended. February 2015.

Photo caption: Military guarding the gates of main HONDUTEL building in Tegucigalpa, February 2015.

Public sector unions and their bases have been told many more suspensions will follow in addition to at least two thousand that have already occurred since late 2014 and the 7,000 announced for 2015 alone. STENEE has been told that after tomorrow (March 24th) an additional 1000 ENEE workers will be laid off as well.

The Honduran government has been pushing through various laws in accordance to its commitments to implement strict Structural Adjustments - mostly concentrated in healthcare, pension fund management, national institutions like ENEE, HONDUTEL and the Honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS), and education - required under the loan signed in early December 2014 with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Structural Adjustments aim to eliminate the role of the central government in education and healthcare, and open public institutions to the private market, amongst others.

Photo caption: Signs reads "we reject the neoliberal projects of JOH [President Juan Orlando Hernandez] and the IMF. Taken during an FNRP/LIBRE protest, January 27, 2015.

The lay-offs of public workers come shortly following a high-level IMF visit to Honduras to evaluate the first three months since the loan was signed in early December 2014. The IMF delegation announced its approval of the recent macroeconomic and social policies implemented by the Honduran government despite the outcry from various public sector unions, indigenous groups, and members of the National Front of Popular Resistance (FNRP).

As privatization sweeps through countries as diverse as the U.S., Canada and Honduras, the IMF plan for Honduras will have dramatic impacts not only on public sector workers but also on Honduran society. With the implementation of the Structural Adjustments, impacts will include increased energy prices and the elimination of energy subsidies for poor families, thus contributing to growing economic and social inequality. Over 59% of the population lives in poverty and 36.2% in extreme poverty. In fact, Honduras is one of the poorest countries of the Western hemisphere and the most violent in the world.

5 comments:


  1. Hello Everybody, My name is.Mrs.Juliet Quin. I live in Canada and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of $ 73,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of $ 73,000.00 Canada Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs.Juliet Quin that refer you to him. Contact Dr Purva Pius via email: reply to email (urgentloan22@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
  2. My Brothers and Sister of Asia country, I am Miss vivian James from Singapore; i was in need of loan some month ago. i needed a loan to open my restaurant and bar, when one of my long time business partner introduce me to the this good and trustful loan lender Mr.Young that help me out with a loan, and is interest rate is very low , thank God today. I am now a successful business woman, and I became useful. In the life of others, I now hold a restaurant and bar. And about 22 workers, thank GOD for my life I am leaving well today a happy mother with three kids, thanks to you Mr.Young Now I can take care of my lovely family, i can now pay my bill. I am now the bread winner of my family. If you are look for a trustful and reliable loan leader. You can Email him via,(amacoloancompany@gmail.com Pls tell him Miss Koh Lian Fong, form Singapore introduce you to him. THANKS

    ReplyDelete
  3. Welcome To George Clydesdale Loan Service….

    Are you a business man or woman? Are you in any financial mess or do you need funds to start up your own business? Do you need a loan to start a nice Small Scale and medium business? Do you have a low credit score and you are finding it hard to obtain capital loan from local banks and other financial institutes?.

    Our loans Are well insured for maximum security is our priority, Our leading goal is to help you get the service you deserve, Our program is the quickest way to get what you need in a snap. Reduce your payments to ease the strain on your monthly expenses. Gain flexibility with which you can use for any purpose – from vacations, to education, to unique purchases

    We offer a wide range of financial services which includes: Business Planning, Commercial and Development Finance, Properties and Mortgages, Debt Consolidation Loans, Business Loans, Private loans, Home Refinancing Loans with low interest rate @3% per annul for individuals, companies and corporate bodies. Get the best for your family and own your dream home as well with our General Loan scheme.

    Interested applicants should Contact us via email: {clydesdaleloancompany@yahoo.com or clydesdaleloancooperation@hotmail.com} or Tel: +1(347) 708-8926

    So we await to hear from you soon.
    Thanks for your cooperation
    George Clydesdale...

    ReplyDelete
  4. How I Got My Loan From A Genuine And Reliable Loan Company (Lexieloanfinance@gmail.com)!!!

    My Name is Nicole Marie, I live in USA and life is worth living comfortably for me and my family now and i really have never seen goodness shown to me this much in my life, As i am a struggling mum with two kids and i have been going through a serious problem as my husband encountered a terrible accident last two weeks, and the doctors states that he needs to undergo a delicate surgery for him to be able to walk again and i could not afford the bill for his surgery then i went to the bank for a loan and they turn me down stating that i have no credit card, from there i ran to my father and he was not able to help me, then when i was browsing through yahoo answers and i came across a God fearing man (Mr Martinez Lexie) who provides loans at an affordable interest rate and i have been hearing about so many scams on the Internet mostly Africa, but at this my desperate situation, i had no choice than to give it an attempt due to the fact that the company is from United State of America, and surprisingly it was all like a dream, i received a loan of $82,000.00 USD and i payed for my husband surgery and thank GOD today he is ok and can walk, my family is happy and i said to myself that i will shout to the world the wonders this great and God fearing Man Mr Martinez Lexie did for me and my family; so if anyone is in genuine and serious need of a loan do contact this GOD fearing man via Email: Lexieloanfinance@gmail.com or ( Lexieloancompany@yahoo.com ) or immediately reach him through text Tel: +1 (406) 946-0675 thanks

    ReplyDelete
  5. $$$ Genuine Loan with 3% interest rate apply today for more details $$$.
    Do you need Loan to pay off your debt and start a new life? You have come to the right place were you can get FUNDED at a very low interest rate. Interested people/company should please contact us via email for more details.

    Application Form.
    First Name:
    Last Name:
    Date Of Birth:
    Address:
    Sex:
    Phone No:
    City:
    Zip Code:
    State:
    Country:
    Nationality:
    Occupation:
    Monthly Income:
    Amount Needed in currency:
    Duration:
    Purpose of the loan:
    Where did you hear about us?

    Email: henski.john46@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete