President Chavez announced expropriation of complex Cold
Written by Anggie Martínez - Photos: Tomas Gonzalez / Miguel Frontado / Luis Gonzalez
Friday, September 3, 2010
*** The possibility of nationalization given on Wednesday by Minister of Commerce, yesterday became a certainty with the words of the president and his time as a concern for hundreds of employees who doubt the government's ability to manage complex

Puerto Ordaz .- $ 60 million was the amount approved by President Hugo Chavez to begin negotiating the expropriation of Complex Garcia Brothers.

The news came as a surprise, even for members of the Board Comptroller-was announced by the president on national television yesterday afternoon made a visit to Termozulia II power plant, located in the La Cañada de Urdaneta in Zulia.

The president's words were, "was approved Bs 60 million for the expropriation of the complex comprising Brothers Garcia Fridge Company Ordaz, cold Investment Koma and delicacies La Fuente, as well as the extent of occupation is fulfilled."

With this announcement culminated, in part, the uncertainty that many of the workers of the 14 sister companies held from Saturday May 22, when finalizing a hot morning, Indepabis spokesmen announced a measure of "temporary occupation" of 90 Cold days and a month later be extended to Koma and delicacies La Fuente.

"One company violated many laws they violate occurred, intervention, and now after a study expropriation", added the president, which seems to corroborate the premise referred to on Wednesday by the People's Power Minister for Trade, Richard Canan in meeting with employees of the complex.

"That beat the 90 days, we do not care ... in time will determine what we will do if fine, if returned, if an expropriation is possible, because you have seen all the processes that we have done with the various companies "were the words of owner the trade portfolio.

The reaction

The information is quickly spread among the employees of companies in the complex, but it would be Cold headquarters located in the industrial area of Unare II, the only one who was once again guarded by military troops.

While employees remained quietly in their seats, but it idly since last week has deepened the scarcity of goods and therefore sales are Pyrrhic, when the clock struck five and began to leave the eyes expressing anguish and sadness for some while others held "justice was done."

In the offices were still employees of the administrative area, as well as Zuly Rondón Abreu Cardozo and Comptroller of the Board according to workers who are "awaiting instructions from Caracas", which expected to be released today to the entire labor force.

For their part, military troops and members of the Board Auditor, guarded and checked everyone who came and went. Hence, even forbade the departure of two vehicles because according to the instructions of one of the guards officials "outside the company."

This information was corroborated by an employee of the group, because some people in administrative positions have vehicles that despite having canceled their own resources, had been financed in principle by cold and ownership documents are still in the name of the complex.

Are you coming?

On a tour of the four branches of deli La Fuente and Koma, until the end of this year continued operations with apparent calm, however, in conversations with employees today said they would take action in reference to the measure.

"Right now I can not speak, tomorrow (today) we will speak out," he said with lowered eyes at the news of expropriation Lisbeth Velásquez, an analyst with Human Resources who on Wednesday told the minister about the payment irregularities at the insurer for enjoyment of HCM, as well as childcare vouchers and more.

But besides this, the main concern of a large group of employees is: job security, no considerations of political overtones, and the operational stability of the company which they said fell into a tailspin during the occupation of the Government.

Accumulated debts, inventory falls by nearly 80% drop in sales by 70% and decrease in the quality of services are broadly economic variables of the largest food distributor and processor in Bolivar state.

May 19, Indepabis, Sada, Seniat, GN Cadivi and began "routine inspection" to cold

May 22, announcing the occupation and installed in cold an administrative board for 90 days

May 23, workers of colds, Koma and delicacies La Fuente and civil society marched in opposition to the measure.

15 June, 90 days occupation extends Koma and delicacies La Fuente, a "relationship of exchange" between these and cold

July 6, occupies government commission formally Koma and delicacies La Fuente

August 20, a day to complete the measure was extended for 90 days Occupation

September 2, President Chavez announced on national television the approval of $ 60 million for the expropriation of the complex Brothers Garcia

Starting today, over three thousand workers expressed mixed feelings about the changes ahead in terms of job security, for while some "held" the transfer over to the Government, others remained between anxiety and sadness.




Chavez will pay 600 million dollars Cativo

In his speech, President Hugo Chávez also announced that it approved $ 120 million to realize the first installment of a majority stake in the Venezuelan Chain Store Corporation (Cativo), which had as its majority shareholder the French group Casino.

With this step, be compensated for the expropriation of the large chain store and dozens of other companies, which controlled 80% French Casino and the remaining block of shares was Almacenes Exito Colombian conglomerate and Empresas Polar.

The president said that the agreement provides for a total payment of $ 600 million that will leave the National Development Fund (Fonden).

The six Exito hypermarkets, and a chain of 35 supermarkets EACH were declared "public utility" on 21 January, alleging that the company was incurring "remarcaje costs" and "restriction of supply." Cannot denied the allegations and the government did not revert to that argument.

Cannot also owned eight distribution centers and a fleet of 100 trucks. These assets were included in the distribution of government food and appliances.

Interventions and expropriation of these companies are part of what Chavez has called the "third phase" of the process to establish in Venezuela a socialist model, and is based on laws which empower the executive to fill the business and seize its assets while developing the expropriation process.

The figure usually includes compensation for expropriation, but critics say the government, given the lack of independence of state powers, those affected should expect to close in an indefinite period under the terms of the government and can hardly expect a positive step in court. Usually some resort to international bodies. (AP)