The governor of Rio Negro, Alberto Weretilneck, emphasized that the construction of the Vaca Muerta Sur pipeline is intended to generate employment and development in the region, and not to allow foreign companies to benefit exclusively. Addressing the business groups involved, he warned about the possibility of halting the project in case of non-compliance.
In particular, Weretilneck pointed out that it is essential for 80% of the workforce used in the project to be from Rio Negro workers, as established by law, and stressed that compliance with this regulation is non-negotiable. If this proportion is not respected, the governor threatened to take drastic measures.
The governor criticized YPF, the oil company responsible for the project, and the Techint-SACDE consortium, in charge of construction, for not meeting the requirement to employ mostly workers from the province. In this regard, he highlighted that currently a low percentage of the workforce on the project belongs to residents of Rio Negro, while members of the construction union UOCRA are waiting to be hired.
The Vaca Muerta Sur pipeline is an infrastructure project aimed at connecting the Vaca Muerta region with the maritime terminal of Punta Colorada in Rio Negro. The project is expected to be operational by 2026. Weretilneck insisted that it is vital to respect the agreements and conditions set to promote local employment and avoid labor abuses.
Recently, Weretilneck announced his intention to charge a percentage of royalties on the sale price of crude oil that will be transported through the Vaca Muerta Sur pipeline as a way to benefit the province. Despite this, the companies involved rely on the fiscal stability granted by current regulations, which has caused a conflict in negotiations.
Ultimately, the governor emphasized his firm stance of defending the interests of the province and its residents, highlighting that he will not allow the local workforce to be exploited.
