Surviving Capitalism (Not) : Chile mine rescue exposes precarious working conditions

We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Monday, October 18, 2010

Chile mine rescue exposes precarious working conditions

by Rafael Azul from World Socialist Web Site.

I'm starting to find the real information relating to the recent near mine disaster in Chile which, to a large extent, was turned into a positive public relations event for the Chilean mining industry and government. I will continue to find information that has been covered up by billionaire President Sebastián Piñera of Chile, corporate media, and mining interests.

While mining in Chile is generally dangerous, this mine in particular has a history of mining accidents that have killed and injured workers. In 2004, the miners union petitioned for the closure of the mine over its dismal safety record. The petition was driven by the death of miner Pedro Gonzalez from a rock fall. The union’s demand was denied by a Chilean appeals court. In 2007, before the closure of the mine, workers at the mine once again petitioned for its closure, following the death of three miners. Once again, the petition was denied by the courts.