Undersecretary Máximo Pavez accuses Conatraport of aggression against officials

The Ministry of Interior -through its Undersecretary Máximo Pavez- accused members of the National Confederation of Port Workers (Conatraport) of aggressions against government officials.

The reported situation allegedly took place in the Social Action Department on Monday, July 27, when the union members, accompanied by Senator Gastón Saavedra, arrived at the aforementioned service to submit requests for 80 special pensions.

Through a letter addressed to Conatraport, the Undersecretary stated that "the group, which entered the premises located on Agustinas street without having requested a prior meeting, demanded that the Department's officials receive their application folders for special pensions, despite the Government having clearly and respectfully stated that, in the context of the current pension agreement with port leaders, the requested reception is not possible."

"According to the Department's officials, the leaders violently demanded the reception of the folders, raising their voices and intimidating those who were attending the public. Furthermore, and without the consent of those present, the leaders illegally recorded the workers and third parties who were in the place. Added to this is the presence of the Honorable Senator Gastón Saavedra who, endorsing this situation, even allowed himself to record a video," he added in the circular.

In addition, Pavez remarked that "what happened on Monday has no precedent in the history of the Undersecretariat of the Interior. What our officials -whom we support- described represents a violation of their right to integrity and the constitutional obligation to make requests to the authority in respectful and appropriate terms. As the Undersecretariat of the Interior, and through our different services, we have always been available to talk with the different leaders and authorities, always mediating respect and care for the dignity of public service, elements absent in the episode described above."

Finally, the authority announced that "as Undersecretary of the Interior, I instructed that the folders of the port workers that are in the Department be considered not received," concluded the letter signed by Máximo Pavez.