Chilean Codelco workers keep strike threat due to lack of smelter investment

SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Employees at Chilean state-owned Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, maintained the specter of a strike on Wednesday if an answer was not reached on investments required by a troubled smelter.

Whereas staff mentioned on Tuesday they’d anticipate an announcement throughout a congressional session on Wednesday to behave, union members didn’t set a particular date after the session ended with out concrete options.

Throughout the session, Mining Minister Marcela Hernando mentioned that the funding research essential to enhance the unit’s efficiency have already been carried out, however that the selections relaxation with the mining firm’s board.

“We have now introduced very responsibly by the networks, by the press, and we now have mentioned it clearly: If the scenario shouldn’t be resolved, we’re going to begin a strike and please, I are not looking for them to see it as a menace as a result of it’s not a menace,” Amado Pantoja, head of the Federation of Copper Employees (FTC), mentioned throughout the session.

“Everyone knows, these of us who’ve been leaders, that strikes will not be introduced, strikes are made, however what we need to let you know is that an important firm in Chile is in danger.”

Pantoja mentioned that Ventanas, the world in central Chile the place the smelter is situated, wants $53 million capsules that retain gases and would enable operations to proceed whereas being environmentally compliant.

Codelco mentioned final week it paused operations to hold out upkeep after authorities declared an environmental emergency following dozens of individuals falling ailing with indicators of sulfur dioxide poisoning. 

Codelco has denied that its operations are linked to the contamination incidents.

(Report by Fabián Andrés Cambero; Writing by Alexander Villegas; Modifying by Sandra Maler)