During the XV Ordinary Congress of the Autonomous Confederation of Workers and Employees of Mexico (CATEM) in Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum, the National Coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Fourth Transformation, committed to safeguarding what she referred to as the significant achievements of the 4T in the labor arena.
“I promise the workers of Mexico that we will keep defending their wages and labor rights, because we understand that when workers thrive, businesses and the entire nation benefit,” declared the virtual presidential pre-candidate for Morena and its allies, stressing that “for Mexico to continue its progress, we must not change our path.”
Before this, Sheinbaum held a meeting at Morena’s national headquarters with nine state coordinators responsible for defending the transformation, who will eventually run for governorships and the capital’s government in the upcoming year. “In the 4T, we are united. We stand with the people of Mexico to strengthen and advance this renewal of public life in our country,” the Morena leader said while sharing a photo with prospective candidates and the party’s national leader, Mario Delgado.
During the CATEM Congress, which took place on Wednesday at the Arena Ciudad de México, Sheinbaum noted that the alliance with this labor organization was being formalized after she inaugurated the first groups that the union established as committees for the defense of labor transformation. The labor organization plans to create at least 10,000 of these committees as its “contribution to the transformation.”
In her speech, Sheinbaum highlighted the “great victories” achieved for workers over the past five years under the current federal administration, including the increase in the minimum wage. She emphasized the importance of this change, noting that for 36 years, the country’s inexpensive labor force had been showcased internationally. “That’s why when it’s claimed that the neoliberal period resembles the Porfirio Díaz era, or is neo-Porfirismo, it’s because, in fact, workers’ earnings decreased each year,” she explained.
She also pointed out the “freedom of association” attained through reforms in this area, stating that workers share a common goal: “We do not want to revert to a past of corruption and privileges.”
On the other hand, CATEM leader Pedro Haces opposed the reduction of working hours, arguing that it would lead to a decrease in wages.
The event was attended by governors from Puebla, Sergio Salomón Céspedes; Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama; Nayarit, Miguel Navarro; Baja California, Marina del Pilar; and Michoacán, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla.
Also present were Francisco Cervantes, president of the Business Coordinating Council, and Héctor Tejada, president of the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Concanaco Servytur).
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