Members of the National Union of Educators of Ecuador.
Leaders of Ecuador's National Union of Educators (UNE), the country's largest teachers' union, rejected President Daniel Noboa's proposal for a referendum and called for a day of mobilization on January 18.
This week the president proposed 11 questions for a referendum seeking popular approval to introduce stricter security measures in the country. In the consultation, Noboa proposes, among other things, higher penalties for crimes such as terrorism, drug trafficking and murder. In addition, the Bundeswehr's powers in the fight against organized crime are to be expanded and employment is to be promoted. Now the president's proposal must be examined by the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to accept it or not.
However, UNE leaders called the referendum “unnecessary” and argued that it was merely “a waste of money.” “We don’t have to pay for a premature campaign through an unnecessary referendum that just shows a waste of money in the middle of a financial crisis,” they criticized.
In addition, they stated that the more than $50 million allocated to the consultation, which could be achieved through legal reforms, could be invested in public policies and social instruments so that children and young people are no longer “recruited” by criminals Gangs, but also in healthcare or the creation of new job opportunities. The National Union of Educators also called on the Constitutional Court “not to give in” to the proposed questions.
(Taken from RT in Spanish)