Allusive photo. Protester in Ecuador
13 October: After 11 days of social struggle led by indigenous groups, trade unionists, peasants, and the broader civil society, Ecuador can finally celebrate the end of repression and violence. The Negotiating Commission composed of the Indigenous Movement, Social Groups (among them trade unionists from all over the country) and the Government achieved the repeal of Decree 883 in Ecuador.
Decree 883, which included harmful economic measures for marginalized communities in Ecuador, sought the elimination of 100 percent of fuel subsidies, an annual reduction of the public budget by US $100 million, budget cuts on social security of US $50 million and cuts in benefits for public sector workers. Economic measures and labour reforms were announced after an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which will provide US $42 billion to reduce the country's deficit.
The negotiation took more than four hours and it was broadcasted live on national television, closely followed by thousands of Ecuadorians. As a main part of the agreement, a Commission will be established to draft a new decree aimed at economic measures that do not impact the people, and to ensure that the money generated by the elimination of the fuel subsidy is directed to the poorest and marginalized communities. This Commission will include representatives of Indigenous Organizations, Social Groups and the Government.
Once this agreement was reached, the social leaders, along with President Moreno himself, pledged to suspend the mobilizations throughout Ecuador and to work together to reestablish peace in the country.
Even with the mediation of the UN Ecuador and the Episcopal Conference, this victory belongs to the Ecuadorian people, who exercised their legitimate right to strike and to express their dissatisfaction with the measures imposed by President Moreno.
"This historic victory belongs to every citizen who remained, with courage and determination, in the streets; it also belongs to the more 700 arrested by riot police, the seven dead and the dozen injured left by this conflict," stated Ambet Yuson, BWI General Secretary.
Nilton Freitas, BWI Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean added, "On a large scale, this victory is an example of struggle and perseverance for the Latin American peoples, because it sends a clear message to the entire region that no President can ignore the interests of the people who elected them. We congratulate the Ecuadoran people and our affiliates in Ecuador, CSTPE, CTC and FEDESOMEC, for the success they achieved through hard struggle."
People celebrates the repeal of Decree 883