29 August, 2011
The President of an ICEM affiliate in Chile, Fenatrapech, the National Federation of Oil Workers, passed away at 5h30 on 23 August. Comrade Jorge Matute was 61 years old and dedicated 41 years to trade union work for Chile’s oil workers. Twenty of those years were with Fenatrapech.
Matute was the key oil workers’ leader during pivotal moments and struggles in Chile’s energy. Unpopular Chilean President Sebastián Piñera has attempted to sell off the nationalised oil assets into private hands, along with other major nationalised industries. Workers at the National Petroleum Company, ENAP, have been under attack over the last two years, as government attempts to weaken the union to facilitate privatisation.
Jorge Matute was central in fighting to protect workers in this process, negotiating redundancy packages and against job cuts.
An example of this struggle led by Matute was at the Bio Bio refinery in Central Chile. In tribute, his remains were taken there on the day of his death, before moving him to Valparaiso for his funeral on 24 August.
Matute had suffered the disappearance of his son, Jorge Matute Johns. Trade union comrades in Chile now take comfort in the belief that Matute is reunited with his son.
Words of support and mourning have been offered from many sides for the popular union leader. ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda conveyed sincere condolences to Fenatrapech on behalf of the ICEM, calling for his good work and struggles on behalf of workers to be continued. “We honour the life of a great fighter,” said Warda.
ENAP oil workers’ union President Alejandro Avendaño said that Matute had “taught us the important value of the struggle for workers rights in Chile.”