Background on Government Agency Strikes and the SAT’s Current Situation
It is a bad sign for any government when a state agency goes on strike, especially when the government demands labor conditions it fails to meet itself. This issue has already surfaced under President López Obrador, with the state news agency NOTIMEX striking from February 2020 for over 1,400 days due to labor demands until its dissolution in December 2023. Although NOTIMEX ceased operations as a news agency in June 2020, Sanjuana Martínez remained director to oversee its closure and continued exercising a budget allocation. Suspicions of fund diversions promoted by the president himself point to another case of corruption.
NOTIMEX Closure and Sanjuana Martínez
Despite ceasing operations as a news agency, Sanjuana Martínez stayed on as director to manage the closure and continued receiving a budget allocation. Allegations of fund mismanagement, allegedly encouraged by the president himself, add to the growing list of corruption cases. Eventually, Martínez publicly accused the Labor Secretary of conditioning liquidation payments on the handover of 20% of those payments for Sheinbaum’s campaign. This unfortunate episode of NOTIMEX’s closure is now mostly forgotten.
Current SAT Strike and Its Implications
The recent partial strike by SAT workers, part of the Tax Administration Service under the Ministry of Finance, brings attention to this issue once more. Although the nature of these strikes differs, the SAT employs around 25,000 people and has seen staggered strikes along with “arms crossed” actions so far.
Labor Demands and Government Cuts
Many of the SAT workers’ demands stem from the unguided budget cuts implemented by the 4T. The SAT is not alone in facing deplorable working conditions due to insufficient funds for facility and equipment maintenance. A glaring example is the dilapidated state of restrooms in any government office.
Uncertain Future of the SAT Strike
It remains unclear if this conflict will escalate, but currently, the situation is cautious. Regardless, it’s embarrassing that the government cannot ensure and uphold legal and dignified working conditions for its own employees.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the SAT strike about? The SAT strike primarily addresses labor demands resulting from budget cuts imposed by the 4T government, which have led to deteriorating working conditions and insufficient maintenance of facilities and equipment.
- Who is Sanjuana Martínez, and why is she relevant? Sanjuana Martínez was the director of the state news agency NOTIMEX, which went on strike for over 1,400 days due to labor demands. She remained in her position even after NOTIMEX ceased operations as a news agency, overseeing its closure and continuing to exercise a budget allocation. Martínez later accused the Labor Secretary of conditioning liquidation payments for campaign purposes.
- How does the SAT strike reflect on the government? The SAT strike highlights the government’s failure to uphold the labor standards it demands from state agencies. This issue has previously surfaced under President López Obrador, with the NOTIMEX case serving as an example of corruption and poor working conditions.
