FUT Ecuador held a National Convention in defense of social security. | Photo: Twitter @prensaceosl

Quito, January 15 (RHC)-- The Unitary Workers Front (FUT) of Ecuador has called for a mobilization for Thursday, January 19th, against the reforms to the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS), which they affirm undermine the continuity of the public model and decent conditions for the population.

Ecuador's largest labor union indicated that the protest is in defense of social security, in view of an eventual maneuver of the government to hand over pension funds to private companies and avoid a million-dollar debt.

During a national convention held in Quito, union leaders and provincial delegations also rejected the presence of Ricardo Gómez as representative of the affiliates before the IESS Board of Directors.   The FUT leadership considers that Gómez constitutes a danger to the interests of retirees and members of the IESS.

Richard Gómez signed an agreement with CREO, the political party of President Guillermo Lasso, for the last elections, so they consider that he does not represent the workers' interests but those of the government.

The leader of the General Union of Workers of Ecuador (UGTE), and president of the FUT, José Villavicencio, assured that "the workers will create fronts in defense of the IESS throughout the country."  Likewise, "they will discuss the proposal they have with people who want to recover social security and free it from the mafias, the corrupt and the governments in power.  We have said that the IESS cannot continue to be a political booty, nor a petty cashbox of any government."