Workers, teachers, students and social organizations marched in cities across Ecuador on Thursday against President Daniel Noboa’s policies, demanding social investment, labor guarantees and defense of social security.

In Quito, demonstrators gathered around the headquarters of the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS) and marched to Santo Domingo Square in the Historic Center, carrying banners and chanting slogans against cuts to social spending, precarious work and what they consider attempts to privatize IESS assets. During the march, they chanted slogans against Noboa and burned cardboard figures bearing his image. Signs with the messages “Cuba is not alone” and “Free Palestine” were also seen.

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The day of action was called by the United Workers Front (FUT), the National Union of Educators (UNE) and other collectives, which questioned the Executive’s lack of response to their demands and announced new protest actions.

FUT President Edwin Bedoya said the protests respond to the absence of dialogue with the Government and the need for budget changes for health and education, as well as guarantees for workers’ organizations. He questioned that more than a hundred labor organizations remain unregistered, leaving them defenseless, and warned about possible measures affecting social security assets and health services.

UGTE President José Villavicencio denounced the complex employment situation and difficulties of access to education for thousands of young people, and questioned the government’s response to insecurity. He said the movement would continue confronting the Government from the streets with the right to resistance, but also at the ballot box, referring to local elections scheduled for November 29.

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