16 July, 2007
Peru became the 22nd country to ratify ILO Convention 176, the Safety and Health in Mines Convention, when Resolution No. 29012 passed the nation’s Congress. The ratification is a tribute to all Peruvian mining unions, especially ICEM affiliate Confederación General de Trabajadores del Perú (FNTMMSP) and national centre CGTP.
With Convention 176 now officially on the books in Peru, miners win unprecedented rights in the country on safety and health matters. Ratification also is expected to bring new technology and techniques to one of the world’s largest mining countries.
“The ICEM is proud to have had a small role – providing information and documentation on 176 – to Peru’s trade unions,” stated General Secretary Manfred Warda. “But the real credit goes to FNTMMSP and all the other trade union organisations. They convinced those that needed convincing that with enactment of this important global standard, Peru is on course to a modern and sustainable mining sector.”
For the Peruvian government, they must now put in pace a national policy on mine safety and health. It must create a national agency that will thoroughly and regularly inspect and investigate all mining activity. Safe and reliable emergency procedures must be put in place in the event of accidents.
Miners now can freely and without prejudice notify authorities and management of unsafe conditions. They have the right to call for expedited inspections or investigations, and they will have full access to all information and data concerning mine safety and health. They will also have the right to leave a mining operation in the event of serious risk. And worker representation backing these rights is guaranteed.
For the mining employers, they must seek to eliminate all mining deaths and accidents by controlling and reducing inherent mining risks. They must provide the necessary equipment and communication systems to guarantee full security. And they must preserve the land and the environment, as well as the well-being of the communities and the people who reside in those communities near their mining holdings.
Early in 2007, Peru’s Commission on Work gave approval to national Resolution No. 29012 after strong and determined lobbying by Peru’s labour unions. That came a month after a January 2007 visit to Peru by ILO Sec. Gen. Juan Somavia, who encouraged the government to ratify eight ILO Conventions, including the 1995 Safety and Health in Mines Convention No. 176.
Nations that have now signed the Convention: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Botswana, Brazil, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Lebanon, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.