Workers from Union No. 1 of Minera Escondida, the world’s largest copper deposit located in the north of Chile, initiated a 24-hour strike to support the social protest that has been taking place in the country for 10 days, said a union spokesman.
The stoppage was carried out “as an adhesion to the social protest against the economic and social policies that affect us as workers and in general the vast majority of society,” said a union statement, which brings together some 2,500 workers, 90% of the total of Escondida operators.
The workers called on the government and Congress to “take care of the needs of the great national majorities” and reconcile a dialogue with unions and social organizations in order to “discuss the way” to grant “a fair social pact, through a constituent process, the only way to overcome the current crisis.” This is the second strike that Escondida workers have made since the beginning of the social upheaval that has left 20 people dead in Santiago and in other cities, following demonstrations, looting and commercial fires.
With nearly 1 million tons of copper annually, Escondida is the world’s largest producing mine.
