Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) rebel solidarity fund finds tough going

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, February 27, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Former Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) manager Mireya de Amaya admits that it has been difficult to keep up the community fund to help employees and workers sacked by the government in the course of the oil sector stoppage that nearly crippled the economy.

The fund increased after friends and people close to the sector deposited donations in a trust fund.

"Given the size of the dismissals, we are now calling on all Venezuelans and companies to contribute … the total amount received so far is 930 million bolivares.”  Aid consists of economic help of between 150,000-200,000 bolivaries, food basket or health care.

According to de Amaya, dismissals are around the 16,000 mark … "15% belong to the day payroll, 80% the greater payroll and 5% executive … 60% of the greater payroll include lower economic levels such as supervisors, foremen and the like.”