Children discovered working at the ‘Los Avalos’ tobacco plantation in Jujuy (photo courtesy of AFIP)
Child Workers Rescued From Tobacco Plantation in Jujuy: Inspectors from the tax office AFIP discovered yesterday four children aged between 11 and 15 who had been working at a tobacco plantation in the province of Jujuy. The children had been working alongside nine adults – of which seven were not registered – while another 15 minors and other adults are estimated to have escaped the El Tipal ranch when the inspectors arrived. The workers lived in unsanitary houses and were not given adequate safety equipment to carry out their tasks. The discovery comes two weeks after AFIP inspectors found eight child slave workers at another tobacco plantation in Jujuy. The children at Los Ávalos ranch worked eight-hour days without receiving a salary and without protective clothing. In both cases, the owners of the plantations face charges of using child labour, a crime punishable with up to 15 years in prison.
Tension and Uncertainty Over Villa Lugano Eviction Order: Tensions are rising in Villa Lugano, where around 200 people have been ordered to vacate a plot of land that they have occupied since Monday night, or face removal by force. After negotiations failed this morning, Judge Gabriel Vega ordered the “immediate and peaceful” eviction of the land by 7pm, while guaranteeing the rights and safety of children and disabled people that are among the group. Families occupying the land said they would not move. “There are parents with small children, young people, old people, and we are not moving,” one of the occupiers told Página 12 earlier today. “The judge will be held responsible if we are injured or killed.” The eviction order is to be carried out by the Metropolitan Police, with national Security Secretary Sergio Berni saying that the Federal Police and Gendarmerie forces would not be involved in the operation. This afternoon, Metropolitan police officers at the location urged people to “evacuate peacefully to avoid an escalation of violence.”
Macri Opens Legislative Sessions in Buenos Aires: Mayor Mauricio Macri inaugurated the legislative year in the city of Buenos Aires this morning with a pledge to work together with the national government on “common issues”. “The president can count on someone who, despite numerous differences, will collaborate to ensure 2014 will find social peace,” said Macri, in a 20-minute speech. The mayor also indicated that he was in dialogue with the governor of Buenos Aires province, Daniel Scioli, about issues that affect the entire metropolitan area. Macri also announced that the Metrobus network would continue to expand in 2014, while new subte stations would be opened on the H line. Opposition legislators criticised the speech as “superficial”. “Macri avoided talking about the things most porteños are concerned about,” said Legislator for Frente para la Victoria (FpV), Jorge Taiana, adding that the mayor spoke of a “city without problems” when there are “major deficiencies in housing, health, and education.”