Workers at the Housing and Urban Planning Service of Antofagasta stopped their fourth day of work last Friday due to the dismissals of two officials, saying that one of them exposed the Agreements case a few months ago.
According to local media timeline, He stated that the mobilization was carried out by the Association of Officials of the Region. “As civil servants, we were subjected to an environment of intimidation, harassment and a significant increase in work demands,” they told the media.
Furthermore, they added that this situation has arisen since the discovery of the irregular agreements between Serviu and the ProCultura and Democracia Viva foundations.
Government reaction
This Sunday, the Undersecretary of Housing and Urban Planning explained in a statement that the dismissal of the two people at the Antofagasta Serviu was solely due to the need “to comply with the instructions of the Supreme Auditor General of the Republic, which are prohibited.” The functions of these services are carried out by persons other than their regular, contractual or volunteer officials.”
They also added that the control body’s report clarified that the recruitment of staff through foundations “does not comply with the provisions of Article 2 of Law 18,834 on the Administrative Statute”, indicating that the tasks inherent in the public function, must be developed by the silver or contract employees of the respective organization.
The Undersecretary clarified that there was never a contractual connection between these people and Seremi Minvu or Serviu, so it would be a mistake to talk about a withdrawal. On the other hand, they assured that there is a desire to regulate the recruitment of professionals so that they continue to provide services since August while the contracts are managed.
This point was one of the points questioned by the protesters, as they clarified that Serviu had promised them to continue their service on a voluntary basis, the remuneration of which would be the responsibility of the Undersecretariat.
The Undersecretary of State himself stated that, after examining the alternatives at central level, he had opted for “the formal procedure, which consists in proclaiming a public competition to which any person can apply according to their merits and career, and so on.” will act in the case of strengthening the precarious settlements program in the times agreed with Serviu Antofagasta.”
They concluded: “As soon as the irregular events in Antofagasta became known, the Undersecretary of Housing for Housing outlined a modernization, transparency and probity agenda, which envisages the implementation of 19 measures to improve management.”
