A trade union delegation headed by the WFTU Deputy General Secretary Valentin Pacho has delivered this morning at the Chilean embassy in Athens an official statement of the WFTU on the heroism of the 33 miners rescued yesterday in Chile, but at the same time to question the role of the Chilean government regarding safety and health at work, especially in the mining sector. This statement has also been sent to the International Labour Organization and the Government of Chile. Below you can read the WFTU statement. In the picture you can see the WFTU Delegates delivering the Statement today to the Consul of Chile in Athens.
The heroism of the miners – The show of the President of Chile
The World Federation of Trade Unions from the very first moment of the tragic accident occurred at San Jose mine issued a statement blaming the governments of Chile and the employers in the mining industry for the crime committed against the miners.
During this time, the leaders of the WFTU in Chile have been closely following developments; they have pressed and acted to demand the rescue of our 33 brothers.
The Mining Confederation of Chile has remained with dignity in the front line as a class-oriented organization that struggles for the sector and the working class. The TUI Metal of WFTU also had a significant presence in the events.
Now, after the rescue of the 33 workers, we should shout all together:
– Long live the heroic miners in Chile
– Stop to the show of the President of Chile
These memorable 69 days have shown the world the great qualities that only workers have. Discipline, collectivity, struggle, resistance, patience, strength, modesty. These are the qualities that have shown the 33 because they were all children of the working class.
On the other hand is the show, hypocrisy, lies and lifestyle that has represented the President of Chile but also the greed of the media.
They are two different social classes, two different worlds with different principles, values, cultures and behaviors.
Class brothers, miners in Chile, thank you. We are very proud of you. We are very proud of the working class and its values. Now the struggle continues! In June 2009, the WFTU intervened in the ILO together with miners of Chile to struggle for the implementation of health and safety conventions. Unfortunately the ILO in fact so far has done nothing for the application of the conventions adopted.
We demand once again:
– Implementation of all international conventions on health and safety. Immediate ratification of the ILO conventions by the government of Chile.
– Implementation of all measures demanded by the class-oriented trade union movement in this sector.
– Punishment for the capitalists and mine owners as the company San Esteban who refuse to take security measures in the workplace
– Solutions and fulfillment for the demands of miners in Chile, their wages to be paid and not to forget them when the lights popularity go off.
– All mines to be state-owned and monopolies and transnational companies to stop speculating and exploiting the natural resources supply. These sources belong to the people and not to capitalists.