Since last year, the Matanza Riachuelo Basin Authority (ACUMAR), in charge of cleaning up the Riachuelo, is going through a process of restructuring. Just like what is happening in other state agencies.
In recent days, workers have reported massive layoffs. In the early hours of March 1st, as they indicated, notifications were received by about 400 people.
They claim that there were no legitimate justifications in any of the cases, and this also raises a big question about how the comprehensive plan for cleaning of the basin will continue.
Reports of layoffs and cuts at ACUMAR
The agency currently led by Lucas Figueras, like many state areas, in line with the National Government’s measures, is going through a restructuring process.
ACUMAR’s work in the Riachuelo.
According to a statement released by the collective “ACUMAR Workers,” on the midnight of Friday, February 28th, before the long weekend, about 400 workers were laid off.
“Added to the over 100 layoffs in 2024. The agency is facing a 50% reduction in its workforce,” they pointed out.
“With this, the dismantling of the agency dedicated to the comprehensive sanitation plan, stopping actions for environmental quality monitoring, controlling polluting companies, waste management, flood prevention, health and environmental education, housing, and community strengthening,” the statement emphasized.
It also clarifies that they operate in an area with over 8 million inhabitants.
ACUMAR is a national agency with the participation of the City of Buenos Aires, the Province, and its municipalities. Since 2009, it has been in charge of the Basin’s sanitation plan.
“The implementation of the layoffs by the agency’s authorities constitutes labor fraud, bypassing the ACUMAR collective agreement that includes the relocation option due to restructuring in its job stability clause,” the workers accuse.
In this line, they demand “immediate reinstatement” and “reconstitution of all tasks aimed at basin sanitation and the defense of the quality of life of its inhabitants.”
What will happen with the sanitation plan
Riachuelo contamination.
Due to this reduction, they argue that the sanitation plan, as it was being carried out, will not be able to continue.
Natalia Vázquez worked in the territorial planning area, in social intervention coordination. She received notice of her dismissal on March 1st.
“I was part of the team of social workers who went to the territories to generate solutions or where there were demands related to housing issues,” she details in an interview with Noticias Ambientales.
According to her testimony, it is practically impossible to continue with the tasks in the current situation.
“Since last year, layoffs had been happening, and in mid-February as well. In total, the agency has already been reduced by 50% and it affects all areas,” Vázquez indicates. “Social, housing-related, those dealing with health issues, water management, inspection, environmental quality,” she lists.
Furthermore, there has also been a significant reduction in technical staff. “Last year, the entire Laboratory team was fired, which was unprecedented. The agency hadn’t done something like that before: having its own technical workers to measure pH and all the tests done in air, soil, and water restoration,” the former employee points out.
“What we see is that, in the current situation, the agency cannot continue to operate because it lacks people, in many cases technically skilled in most areas,” she specifies.
The case for Riachuelo sanitation and 20 years of work
The case of Riachuelo contamination is 16 years old.
The Supreme Court ruling on Riachuelo pollution, known as the “Mendoza Ruling”, was issued in 2008.
The highest court resolved that the Comprehensive Environmental Sanitation Plan for the Riachuelo aimed to improve the quality of life of the basin’s inhabitants, restore the environment in all its components (water, air, and soil), and prevent ecosystem damage with a sufficient degree of predictability.
Based on this, ACUMAR created an initial general mapping of industries to identify those close by that were contaminating the river. They also established the first centralized inspection team for the entire territory. Additionally, the first unified environmental regulations, with established limits for each type of discharge and substances used.
As part of this plan, 40% of the inhabitants affected by Riachuelo pollution have been resettled, and tons of waste have been removed.
Despite ongoing demands and remaining actions to achieve sanitation and adequate environmental and living quality, without the optimal functioning of the agency, it seems to be a rather complex task. “Unfeasible,” according to the description of the laid-off worker.
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