El Ciudadano
Original article: “Esto no es un ajuste, es cerrar un servicio”: ANEF alerta recorte histórico y despidos masivos en INJUV
«This is Not an Adjustment, It’s the Closure of a Service», warned the National Association of Public Employees (ANEF) in response to a historic 47% budget cut for the National Youth Institute (INJUV) for the year 2026. This measure, implemented by José Kast’s government, has resulted in mass layoffs and threatens the well-being of 4.5 million young people in Chile.
The budget reduction was enacted through Decree No. 331 from the Ministry of Finance, translating to a cut exceeding $3.859 million aimed at youth programs across the nation.
According to the association, the cut signifies a drastic reduction in staffing, slashing the number of employees from about 184 to approximately 45 nationwide, jeopardizing the operational continuity of the service.
Moreover, they warned that the budget squeezing will also lead to the closure of regional offices and the elimination of youth organizational spaces.
Leaders from ANEF in Valparaíso, Yarela Zelada, Susana Cristi, and Gonzalo Cisternas, made it clear that “no service is surplus here” and urged the far-right government to reconsider a measure they labeled as “discriminatory and abhorrent” for the over 4.5 million young potential beneficiaries of this national service.
Requesting Oversight Authority’s Opinion on 47% Budget Cut for INJUV
In Santiago, ANEF President José Pérez Debelli and AFINJU President Yuksu Ramos submitted a presentation to the General Comptroller of the Republic on Tuesday, asking for a ruling on the legality of Decree No. 331, which alters the public sector budget and directly impacts INJUV. This action has also been supported by deputies Matías Fernández and Jaime Bassa.
“We are supporting every worker at the National Youth Institute, which has essential strategic programs focusing on suicide prevention, mental health, employability, and reintegration,” Pérez affirmed.
“This regressive and anti-democratic decree harms not only this strategic service but all public services in the country (…) affecting health, education, and even food access. We will defend strategic jobs because in doing so, we are also defending our country’s youth and their opportunities,” he stated.
AFINJU President Yuksu Ramos pointed out that the budget cuts implemented by the finance decree directly impact programs approved by the 2026 Budget Law, such as “Compromiso Joven,” active in over 70 communes, and “Hablemos de Todo,” aimed at mental health and serving over 9,000 young people nationwide.
“The most significant thing is that these programs received favorable recommendations from the very Dipres, and they are not technically questioned, so we do not understand the logic behind this decision attempting to curtail them by decree,” he added.
“Any Budget Modification Must Be Discussed with the Unions”
The submission to the comptroller asserts that the measure enacted by Kast’s administration could constitute a de facto restructuring of the service, as it simultaneously cuts budget and staffing without a formal reorganization act or adherence to budgetary laws, violating principles like legality, continuity of service, and employee participation.
“This decree also demonstrates the devastation caused by early contract terminations. Individuals are losing their jobs today. Maintaining this decree results in job losses, where most affected are service women. It’s a poor example if we aim to promote employability in our country,” Pérez stated.
«Any structural or budget modification must be discussed with the unions that represent workers (…) We are willing to implement programs and to develop a modern public management design, but this should be done with the workers, not behind our backs,” Pérez emphasized.
ANEF and AFINJUV reiterated their rejection of the decree and announced actions before the National Congress, calling on lawmakers from all political sectors to address the situation.
La entrada ANEF Warns of Historic Budget Cuts and Mass Layoffs at INJUV: «This is Not an Adjustment, It’s the Closure of a Service» se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.
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