The future of the Chapadmalal complex, a symbol of social tourism in Argentina, is now at the center of the debate between the search for private investment and concerns about job continuity and public access. The Chief of Staff, Manuel Adorni, announced this afternoon the progress in the 30-year concession of the historic Chapadmalal Tourist Unit, located south of the city of Mar del Plata, within the framework of the official policy to reduce the State's participation in different sectors. According to the Argentine News Agency, the deal is practically agreed upon, and all current workers providing services at the complex will be dismissed. During his usual press conference, the official stated that the measure aims to attract private investment to improve the facilities. “We seek to bring private investment that will restore and elevate the quality of the complex so that it can finally serve the people,” he affirmed. Additionally, Adorni highlighted that the initiative will reduce maintenance costs for the State, in line with the government's plan to shrink public assets and promote their transfer to the private sector.
Workers' Concerns and Criticisms
The Chapadmalal hotels could be reconverted and pass into private hands. However, the announcement has caused great unease among the complex's workers, who questioned the process and warned about the lack of certainty. From UPCN, General Pueyrredon delegation, they qualified the measure as a “smoke screen” and denounced that the privatization process has been for months without clear definitions. “We have entered an uncertain future since March of last year. We have been absorbed by the Chief of Staff's Office and the privatization process is still in a kind of limbo,” they stated.
A Complex in Transformation
The workers also emphasized that while the official initiative advances, the complex's operation has been affected. “What social tourism was, has been stalled, we have not been open, and that generates great anxiety among our colleagues,” they explained, while describing a scenario of progressive reduction of activity.
Labor Uncertainty
The Chapadmalal Tourist Unit in danger (Redes)
In this context, the union focused on the social impact of the measure. According to them, about 60 families directly depend on the colony's operation. “We are facing very uncertain moments, but always trying to support our colleagues.”
