The world of work in Chile is facing a strong paradigm shift. In fact, this year four regulations come into force that modify the Labor Code, corresponding to the laws of work, family and personal conciliation; against workplace harassment; which reduces the working day also called 40 hours and which establishes an increase in the minimum monthly income.
In that sense, the PUCV commemorated International Labor Day this week with a Eucharist to remember the legacy of San José Obrero and a talk in the Hall of Honor of the Central House, which was given by the People Manager of the Security Institute of Labor (IST), Marisol Vega, on the challenges that companies and their workers are facing starting this year.
The rector of the PUCV, Nelson Vásquez, thanked all those who have been part of the university community during the last 96 years, who have contributed to the House of Studies that we have today. “It is a large institution, one of the five best universities in the country, the largest in the Valparaíso region. This is possible because we have, and have had throughout its history, a group of people who have worked hard,” he said.
In addition, he highlighted that 85% of the PUCV workers are unionized, which is clearly a strength. “Few institutions in the country have reached that level of unionization (…) This strengthens us and allows us to stand safely in today’s society and it is a concrete fact that we are a University concerned about its community,” he added.
For his part, the vice chancellor of Administration and Finance, Alex Paz, described the PUCV as a visionary institution, being one of the first to comply with the 40-hour law. “At the University, employment has been a permanent concern for the Rector’s Office and we have been developing our labor and benefits policies. We believe that it is a space for people to better develop the balance of work and family life. We have also advanced in better economic and employment conditions. “We have robust collective contracts with our union organizations and in terms of salary equity we comply with the Social Doctrine of the Church,” he added.
A CALL TO SEE PEOPLE WHOLELY
The IST People Manager, Marisol Vega, spoke about the impact of the new laws that modify the Labor Code and pointed out that “the paradigm shift is situated within a new scenario in the world of work, where the person becomes relevant, not only at work, but the person as an integral being (…) The PUCV is an institution that is at the forefront of these changes and universities have a nomenclature to generate internal conditions for the prevention of sexual harassment that is much more demanding than in other organizations in matters of labor law. As a study house, they can also provide training to undergraduate and graduate professionals so that they have the necessary skills in this new world of work.”
The president of the Intercompany Union No. 1 of the PUCV, Osvaldo León, highlighted that “as of January 2024, the PUCV signed the 40-hour law, which is the product of work carried out through collective contracts, where “We gradually established mechanisms that would allow us to adapt the operation to the new day.”
The president of the Alberto Hurtado Workers Union, Zahamara Aciares, valued this opportunity to reflect on the advances in the world of work. “We are proud that our University has a public sense and that it seeks excellence in each of its areas. In this analysis we consider how to reach that goal through workers. First, with a good work environment that must be based on places that generate proactivity and motivation. Secondly, it is important to work collaboratively among workers, with ongoing training of people, where trust prevails,” she expressed.
Previously, a Eucharist was held that remembered the example of San José Obrero, patron saint of workers. The mass was presided over by the general chaplain of the University, Father José Pablo Valencia, and was attended by representatives of the university community, including academics, officials and students.
By Juan Paulo Roldán
Strategic Communication Department
