PROVEA hits out at media content law, PDVSA dismissals and Public Protest Law

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuelan human rights group (PROVEA) general coordinator, Carlos Correa has once again criticized the media content law (officially called the Social Responsibility on TV and Radio Law) because he says it promises disproportionate penalties and regulates the greater part of print & broadcast media. 

Correa says PROVEA has been doing its homework and has not discovered any other country in the world where TV and radio concessions have been revoked on the grounds typified in the draft law. 

Referring to the so-called Public Demonstration Law, Correa says that although PROVEA has not studied the draft proposed by Venezuelan Procurator General, Marisol Plaza, PROVEA maintains that  demonstrations and protests are "an inalienable right and must be guaranteed by the Venezuelan State."  

On the thorny issue of reinstatement of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) workers dismissed for their participation in the national stoppage, PROVEA has lodged a complaint at the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) about what it considers a highly discriminatory measure against former PDVSA employees. PROVEA leader, Marino Alvarado says it's the biggest dismissal in Venezuela's history and a grave concern for PROVEA. 

"We hold President Chavez Frias responsible for the way workers have been discriminated against ... we are aware and know of circulars sent to PDVSA subsidiaries and contractors banning them from hiring dismissed workers." Alvarado reveals that the measure has been extended to include dismissed workers' families. 

• PROVEA wants the government to drop a petition to eliminate Hydrocarbons Law Article 32 concerning labor stability introduced by PDVSA president, Ali Rodriguez Araque.

Movimiento Quinta Republica (MVR) is said to be investigating claims that PDVSA-East directors have re-employed former PDVSA staff that joined the stoppage and thrown out workers, who were part of anti-stoppage contingency plans.

Oil Workers Federation (Fedepetrol) and the Venezuelan Confederation of Trade Unions (CTV) have rushed to the Supreme Tribunal of Justice asking it to throw out the government's petition to declare Article 32 null and void ... Article 32 states that State sector oil workers (except members of boards)  enjoy stability at work and can only be fired for causes highlighted in the Labor Law.