Following recent statements by Republican Party Chairman Senator Arturo Squella regarding the privatization of Codelco, the Chuquicamata Union has called for a rally titled “In Defense of a 100% State-Owned Codelco and Chilean Copper” on August 10 (Miners’ Day) at 11 a.m. The rally will take place in front of the company’s corporate headquarters at 1270 Huérfanos Street, Santiago.
Let’s recall that Squella called on the Kast administration to move forward with the privatization of Codelco—“or at least part of it”—so that, in his words, “private capital can breathe new life into that company,” remarks that drew immediate, widespread condemnation from both the political and social spheres.
The “Chuqui” Union stated in this regard that “in the face of the privatization push by the government, political parties, and business sectors, workers and Chileans cannot stand idly by.”
“Over its 55-year history, Codelco has more than proven that it is and will continue to be the best company in the Chilean government. It has contributed more than 165,000 million dollars toward the construction of hospitals and schools and to ensuring access to education and decent pensions,” the union stated. In an interview with El Ciudadano, Miguel Véliz, leader of the Chuquicamata Union, stated that “We, the workers of Codelco, know—and it runs through our veins—that we have a truly patriotic commitment to our country. The work we do is for the good of every Chilean man and woman.”
For this reason, he stated that “under no circumstances will we allow the total or partial privatization of our company; on the contrary, we will make every effort necessary to make it more efficient, increase investment, and aggressively industrialize it, primarily in the areas of copper smelting and refining.”
“Anyone who today attempts to privatize Codelco or sell off its assets will come up against the company’s strongest defense—its workers—who have the overwhelming support of the public,” emphasized the union leader. For his part, Hernán Guerrero, president of the union, pointed out that “even during the worst periods for copper prices, it was not advisable to divest from Chile’s largest and best company, Codelco. It is therefore outrageous to propose selling or privatizing Codelco. Now, when the price of copper is at an all-time high and is projected to remain at these same levels for another 20 years”.
Guerrero emphasized in this regard that while the entire world “is mobilizing to secure copper and strategic minerals, these unpatriotic statements are being made.”
“The resources generated by Codelco have financed the social needs of every government since its nationalization. That is why we are calling on all labor, social, political, and civic organizations to join the demonstration on August 10 so that together we can demand that the government put an end to this drive toward privatization,” said the president of the Chuquicamata Union.
