30 November, 2009
ICEM Mexican affiliate Los Mineros continue to face government repression, and joint government-company action against them. Wednesday 25 November saw a convoy of 10 buses, carrying 400 members and supporters to a peaceful protest in the city of Zacatecas, blocked by riot police and held at Las Arcinas, in the municipality of Sain Alto, 25km from the city. The passengers were told that if they got off the buses, they would be beaten.
The protest was planned as a call for justice over the murder of fellow mineworker Jeventino Flores-Salas in June this year, and also to show support for their exiled leader Napoleon Gomez-Urrutia. Miners from throughout Mexico travelled to Zacatecas on Tuesday 24 November, but were blocked by police the following day from entering the city. The strong suspicion is that Grupo Peñoles asked the federal police to act in this manner. The Mexican Constitution gives citizens the right to move freely, to peaceful demonstration and expression. All of these rights were denied by the police action. Although the workers were finally allowed entry into the city, they were not left alone by the police, and were not allowed to join the manifestation.
The union has criticised the state government of Amalia Garcia-Medina, who is supposedly left-wing, but still sides with the right-wing repression of the federal government.
In other news regarding Los Mineros, the Australian Government is putting pressure on the Calderon Government to rethink its campaign of repression against the Mexican miners. This follows a resolution of the National Executive of ICEM affiliated CFMEU condemning the actions of the Mexican government following the Pasta de Conchos mine disaster in 2006. CFMEU lobbying to the Australian government has resulted in the Australian government making a strong statement of support for the international labour movement’s campaign for improved trade union rights in Mexico.