Venezuela’s new labor law “first in transition to socialism”

[Starry Messenger]

http://peoplesworld.org/venezuela-s-new-labor-law-first-in-transition-to-socialism/

In what Venezuela's government described as the "first law in the transition to socialism," President Hugo Chavez has signed into law new comprehensive labor legislation. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans marched through the streets of Caracas on May 1, International Workers' Day, to commemorate the signing of the historic document.

"The triumph of the people, of the workers, has never come about without a long process of resistance, of struggle, suffering even. This law, which I will have the honor of signing ... is the product of a long process of struggle," said President Chavez.

The legislation reduces the work week to 40 hours and seeks to abolish private sub-contracted labor in the country, which the state views as an exploitative practice and relic of neoliberal policies of the 1990s

<snip>

Earlier this year, Chavez announced a 32.5 percent increase in the monthly minimum wage, to be carried out in two phases. The first phase took effect on May 1 with an increase from 1,548 bolivares ($360) to 1,780 bolivares ($413.90). On September, it will increase another 15 percent to 2,047 bolivares ($476).

Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro called the labor law "an instrument for constructing the highest stage of socialism," and contrasted it with the anti-worker laws that are being enacted in Spain where a quarter of the labor market is unemployed.

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[freshwest]

1. Sounds like a move back to what we used to have before the neo-liberals hit us.

[David__77]

2. Nice law, but nothing really "socialist" about it.

It's just a labor law enhancing labor rights. Nothing socialist there - nothing in this touches capitalist property ownership in any fundamental way. Lots of hyperbole, but nonetheless smart electoral politics.

I do wish Chavez was more serious about, or more deeply understood socialism. This has been tried before by Allende, and we can plainly see where that ended up.

[eridani]

3. Given the very loose definition of "socialist" these days, maybe it is.

All I see it meaning anymore is a commitment to public goods--an excellent thing, but not the traditional definition.

[Starry Messenger]

4. This is probably more like a New Deal law.

I quibble with your *just* though. Getting labor laws passed in *this* country can be like WW3. The capitalist property owners hate anything that touches their bottom line. edit: right on cue, the boug. press starts screaming, lol: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014112329

I thought Allende had been assassinated in cahoots with right-wing forces in our government.

[socialist_n_TN]

5. It is...........

The items discussed in the last paragraph are more true "transitional" demands. But as you (or someone) said in another post, ANY change in neoliberal policies ANYWHERE is going to be called "socialism" by the neoliberals. Unfortunately for them, I don't think that socialism is a perjorative word in Venuzuela.

I was encouraged by the polling that showed 80% approval for these laws though. With 80% approval for these relatively mild changes, you can bet a change to true transitional laws would poll at 50% or higher.

[socialist_n_TN]

6. And yes Allende WAS assassinated by the CIA..........

for all practical purposes anyway. They backed Pinochet and his junta with everything that they had.

[Taverner]

12. Only the die hard Pinochet supporters still think it was suicide

[Taverner]

11. Socialist in direction, but not socialist in itself

[white_wolf]

7. You mind if I crospost this in GD?

I think it could make for some interesting discussion, even if does piss the "New Dems" and DLCers off.

[Starry Messenger]

8. I'm all for that! :)

[TBF]

9. Good luck -

brave one

[joshcryer]

10. Shame that the new pension plan allows you to privately invest, ala Bush's plan.

[limpyhobbler]

13. Seems like a good step forward for their country.

If they keep it up they might pass us up on these standards.

Wait I think they just did pass us up on maternity leave and protecting people from getting fired for two years after having a maybe.

Women's rights groups hailed the law as a big step forward for gender equity in the workplace by increasing post-natal maternity leave from 12 to 25 weeks and protecting new parents from dismissal for up to two years after the child's birth.