28 June, 2010
Colombia’s worst mining disaster in over 30 years killed 73 workers on 16 June, amid urgent calls for action on health and safety in mines. The cause of the explosion was yet again methane gas, a cause which especially angers the ICEM as it is always avoidable under safe working conditions. This is the sixth deadly methane gas explosion around the world’s mines in the last six months.
The characteristics of all of theses tragedies are the same: lack of effective government oversight, employers putting profit and production ahead of safety, or the absence of a trade union and collective bargaining agreement that would have given miners the right to refuse to work in unsafe conditions without jeopardizing their jobs.
The San Fernando Coal mine in Amaga, North-West Colombia, is a non-union mine with a poor safety record. In November last year, workers broke through a wall into another shaft, causing mass flooding that killed 5. In another methane blast at the mine 3 years ago, 20 mineworkers were killed.
Colombia's geological and mining institute, Ingeominas, have stated that results of an investigation into the accident are expected in the coming days.
The ICEM calls for a full investigation of the causes of this accident, and joins with other mining unions around the world which have called for criminal prosecution of those responsible for these tragic accidents. Moreover, we call upon the International Labour Organization to greatly intensify its efforts to promote the ratification of Convention 176 on Health and Safety in Mines which is a needed first step in safeguarding the lives of miners.
Manfred Warda Addresses ILC
ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda addressed the International Labour Conference of the ILO, 15 June, on the vital need for action on ILO Convention 176. Warda questioned how “miners in the 21st Century should have to endure such dangers when clearly the science, technology and training are present to eliminate these so-called accidents”.
Warda heavily criticised the common tactic of mine employers, to give employees substandard basic salaries which must be complemented by production bonuses, this contributes to workers continuing in unsafe conditions, in order to meet quotas.
The US Massey mine disaster of April this year illustrates the need not only for ratification of Convention 176, but also strict implementation, as the mine was consistently cited with safety violations by the inspecting authorities. “Effective government oversight of mining operations must improve dramatically” Warda told ILC delegates.