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Original article: Tras reunión con Manipuladoras: Ministra de Educación y director de Junaeb comprometen continuidad de programas de alimentación escolar y parvularia

On Wednesday, June 17, senators from various parties joined food worker federations from across Chile for a meeting with Education Minister María Paz Arzola and National Junaeb Director Fernando Peña.

During the meeting, concerns were raised regarding the controversial Ministry of Finance Circular No. 16. Ultimately, officials confirmed the continuation of school and preschool feeding programs, pledging to establish a collaborative workspace involving the Ministry of Education, Junaeb, and the workers’ federations.

The initiative was driven by Senators Karol Cariola (PC), from the Valparaíso region, and Yasna Provoste (DC), from the Atacama region, alongside the Labor Union of Food Workers, which includes 12 federations nationwide.

In this context, officials assured that resources related to Junaeb and school feeding programs will remain intact, committing to progress in a task force for upcoming tenders, a pending memorandum of understanding, and safeguarding the labor, safety, and health conditions of the workers.

Other senators from different regions and parties attended, including the president of the Education Commission, Gustavo Sanhueza (UDI), Alfonso de Urresti (PS), Gastón Saavedra (PS), Claudia Pascual (PC), Beatriz Sánchez (FA), Alejandra Sepúlveda (IND), Esteban Velásquez (FRVS), and Daniel Núñez (PC).

Following the meeting, Senator Cariola praised the minister’s willingness to engage directly with the workers and their national organizations, emphasizing that commitments will be monitored by Congress.

«This is a widespread and deeply civic concern: children cannot be deprived of the food they need. The minister indicated that Junaeb’s resources and the school feeding program would not be touched, and we will oversee this commitment closely,» stated the legislator.

According to Cariola, «What remains to be done, which was also raised in the meeting, is to advance in signing a memorandum of understanding between the national food workers’ unions and the government to protect their labor, contractual, and remuneration conditions.»

From the Labor Union of Food Workers, María Teresa Vejar, president of the Unama Federation and spokesperson for the organization, highlighted the open dialogue established with the authorities.

«We were able to reach agreements with Junaeb and the Minister of Education. We were assured that the program will continue, that resources are available for the next tender in 2027, and that we will work alongside Junaeb to finalize the memorandum of understanding,» the leader stated.

Senator Beatriz Sánchez (FA) noted that food workers «today fear for their jobs and the program’s continuity. This uncertainty is unacceptable, especially in a sector where their leaders have fought for years for their rights and appropriated benefits that are now at risk.»

«Every cut in the feeding program strikes them, no matter how small, but they are also affected by tenders that do not consider their service knowledge, often falling to companies that provide substandard or spoiled food. The Minister of Education and the Junaeb director must not only listen to them but also provide assurances against the real fears they face today,» Senator Sánchez stressed.

Finally, the Labor Union of Food Workers expressed gratitude for the commitments made and stressed the need to swiftly progress in the task force.

«We are satisfied with this meeting, with the support of the attending senators, and with the commitment made by the minister and the national Junaeb director. Now we hope to move forward with a next task force to achieve what we have fought for over this time,» concluded spokesperson María Teresa Vejar.

We will continue to keep you informed.

La entrada Government Officials Commit to Continuity of School and Preschool Feeding Programs After Meeting with Food Workers se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.