The six
governors of Patagonia
, grouped in the regional bloc
of the United Provinces of the South
, rejected this Tuesday the privatization of the economic unit of
Yacimientos Carboniferos de Río Turbio (YCRT)
, one of the state companies that is in the Government's sights.
In return,
they proposed "a productivity agreement
that saves the Complex, in which we ALL make an effort to produce more, produce well, generate energy and market coal, whose reserves allow us to have enough stock for 500 years."
They did so through a joint official statement titled “YCRT of the Argentines”, signed by the leaders of Tierra del Fuego,
Gustavo Melella
;
of Santa Cruz,
Claudio Vidal
;
from Chubut,
Ignacio Torres
;
from La Pampa,
Sergio Ziliotto
;
from Neuquén,
Rolando Figueroa
;
and from Río Negro,
Alberto Weretilneck
.
“The governors of the United Provinces of the South, together with legislators, mayors of the Rio Turbio basin, workers and their representatives,
demonstrate against any form of privatization
of the economic unit of Yacimientos Carboniferos de Río Turbio (YCRT),” the text begins.
Then, they argued that "both the Thermal Power Plant and the Deposit and the coal mines
were once - and can be now - profitable
, not only to balance the accounts of their different years, but also to generate economic profitability and foreign exchange; through of transparent management, without corruption.”
They questioned, in turn, “the latest efforts.”
They pointed out on this point that “they left serious operational, infrastructure, economic, property and labor consequences.”
“The business of a few harmed the workers and the Country,” they concluded.
Río Turbio Carboniferous Deposits (YCRT) of the Argentines.
United Provinces of the South@NachoTorresCH @Rolo_Figueroa @gustavomelella @ClaudioVidalSer @Weretilneck @ZiliottoSergio pic.twitter.com/1q3yyYU63W
— Patagonia Argentina (@lapatagonia_ar) March 12, 2024
The YCRT company, which brings together the cities of Río Turbio and 28 de Noviembre, separated from each other by just 12 kilometers,
has not been sustainable for decades
.
It was part of the energy plan of Kirchnerism that never fulfilled its productive promise and only accumulates years of red numbers.
Last December, the current controller, Thierry Decoud, found himself with a company without production, a staff that demands more than 5,300 million pesos per month (this year he will need 80,000 million pesos) and pensions that were paid to deceased personnel. years ago, among other aspects that are under analysis.
The arguments of the Patagonian governors
The governors maintained that coal “has another added value, since the ashes, the residue of the power plant, can be used to manufacture blocks and bricks.”
“The coal mine is the company that sustains employment and generates the economic movement of the families that live in the towns of Río Turbio and 28 de Noviembre, located on the strategic southern border between Argentina and Chile.
We are talking about thousands of Argentines who live hours of immense uncertainty and they are who we, the governors, represent,” they explained.
They also highlighted that “
this coal is also used to heat
thousands of other low-income homes in the provinces of Patagonia, which must withstand temperatures of 20 degrees below zero.”
Finally, they indicated that they intend “for the national government to do well, because then Argentina will do well.”
But, in that direction, they clarified that for this to happen "
it is essential to formalize strategic agreements
that lead us to development and economic growth."
“We will only achieve these agreements within the framework of
fraternal dialogue
, which preserves and defends the common interest of the Homeland,” they completed.
According to the Government of Santa Cruz, "prior to the issuance of this joint document, Governor Vidal received the unions that group YCRT workers at the Government House."
The official communication stated that Vidal "made them aware of his rejection of the National Government's intention to advance the privatization of the company, and his commitment to manage and advance actions that guarantee the jobs of those who value it every day." to YCRT".
IS