Ecuador: Telecom workers protest proposed increased taxes, taking money away from workers

telecompaper.com reported the government of Ecuador’s plan to push through a bill substantially increasing taxes on private telecoms operators’ profits has prompted a series of strikes from Movistar and Claro employees in Quito and Guayaquil. The government’s bill would force private telecoms operators to give 12 percent of their profits to the state and 3 percent to their workers, with the state proposing to invest the money raised in social projects and connectivity programmes. However, around 300 Movistar workers in Quito held a strike on 06 September to protest against the plans, which they said could affect up to 6,000 families. The employees dressed in black and held up placards stating “No to the reform”, “Our work is what generates profits” and “The spectrum without work is nothing but air”. Claro workers in Guayaquil also dressed in black and released black balloons to protest against the government’s plans. Read Article