Hecla does not respect the dignity of workers
Written by Editorial
Saturday, 17 May 2008
They demand nationalization

Every time you leave the industrial area of enterprise workers are forced to undress in front of officials of the National Guard and the Department of Homeland Security guards Physics

The nationalization of the mining company Hecla, which has been operating Block B of a gold deposit in the town Sifontes, demanded yesterday a group of representatives of the union Sintracallaomin because they believe that this transnational disregard the dignity of trabaajdores.

The complaint in question that arises from Hecla several months ago, supported by the National Guard and the Department of Physical Security, requires workers to strip every time they leave the industrial area.

Edward Lopez, secretary general of Sintracallaomin, explains that this measure "applies to prevent it from being stolen gold material but has not stopped to think that this violates human rights and also violates Article 46 of the Constitution."

Last month, "says Lopez-this allegation was made known to the Minister Rodolfo Sanz. The answer we got side Hecla, because it was dismissing three executives of Sintracallaomin. The most serious is that the company did not recognize any provision for the years of service. He did so compulsive, completely violating the legal system relating to employment. Is this happening here in Bolivar state, which is why we went to the media to denounce this situation that has created a transnational as Hecla.

At this time, according to Lopez-Hecla is intervened following a decision by the national government while the president of Minerva, Luis Herrera, has fallen the task of monitoring the implementation of this measure. Minerva is the only state agency that has paid attention to workers in Hecla. Therefore we demand that the president Chavez Hecla operations are passed to CVG Minerva. Perhaps because we are far from the centers of power, our case is strange to many people but we are in a real crisis situation because this "foreign company does not respect workers' rights or the legal system."

With regard to wage, Lopez shows a ticket payment: 390 bolivars is so strong that on average half a worker earns each of Hecla. "Wages in this company are very low. There is no explanation for this situation because we are talking about a company that operates gold and platinum at the moment are trading at high values on the world market. This is a company that generates profits, then understand how his employees are poorly paid. Never there has been given a bonus of production workers. "

Another aspect that has to Sitracallaomin face of lawlessness, is that it appears Hecla is negotiating with a Russian company exploitation of Block B without taking into account Minerva, true owner of the said deposit. "We are giving full support to the chairman of Minerva but also reject the position of Hoover Quintero, labour inspector, who in this conflict has been devoted to defending the interests of Hecla."



Nationalization and ..........



* Yesterday the representatives of Sintracallaomin spoke of foreigners, revolution, transnational exploitation and processing in order incessant speech at the same time "revolution".

* They also said that Hecla produces up to one kilo per hour, the company draws tons of material gold but does not pay.

* Cries out for Rodolfo Sanz, Minister of Basic Industries and Mining, expedite the process of nationalization because only then will end up confronting the problems that come.