In the third week of January, about 5,431 mining workers of Chile, ruled by the military dictator Augusto Pinochet, went on strike for increase of wages (Indian Express, January 22). Pinochet, who came to power after overthrowing the progressive government of Salvador Allende in 1973 heads one of the most anti-working class governments in the world. After coming to power, this dictator disbanded unions, killed workers and other sections of the toiling people or imprisoned them.
The labour laws of Chile allow workers to strike for 90 days; after that they either have to accept any proposal put forward by the government of the exploiters or face dismissal. In spite of such strong preventive measures, rising cost of living has forced the working class to wage struggles against the Pinochet dictatorship. This recent strike by the miners reveals the fighting spirit of the masses in Chile.
The last major strike was in 1979 when 4,700 steel workers went on strike for 31 days. They ended the strike after winning 21.5 per cent increase in wages plus other benefits.
The present strike is in the second largest mine in Chile which produces 300,000 tons of copper every year. Copper is a major export item of Chile. The strike has been a total success despite the use of terror by the dictatorship.
–January 26