Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Labor conflict could have dire consequences for progress at Venezuela-Russia "socialist" gold-mining company

VHeadline Venezuela News reports: Bedding for labor conflict and its follow-on consequences that could affect progress at a "socialist" gold-mining company in 50/50 partnership between the Venezuelan government and the Russian Agapov Group's Rusoro Mining, community council leaders have met in urgent session with the government's Labor Inspectorate urging immediate measures to prevent or at least reduce current chaos that has been inflicted on the township of El Callao in southeastern Bolivar State.

Labor Inspector Jose Rodolfo Devera has tried, unsuccessfully, to bring clarity to widespread doubts over what is to happen with revenues from "socialist" mining joint venture following continuing disputes in the Isidora mine. Unemployed mine workers have gathered at the mine gates from nearby villages in search for jobs and sporadic riots have broken out because there is little or no news about payroll or investments at the mine.

Ministry of Labor (Minpptrass) officials from Caracas have sought to establish parameters to continue at the now-defunct Hecla workings. Union leader Edwar Lopez has called for calm although authorities appear to have no clear policies and the fundamental concern is over who is to be re-hired and who will be made redundant. "The problem is that false expectations were raised," Lopez says. "Local community councils have been deceived ... they asked for something to be done to help the people living around El Callao."

In La Carioca, Maria Corales says that requests for a meeting with CVG-Minerven last week were denied ... "We still have a long way to travel and then we must queue and pay bribes to even get into to the company ... it is such an abuse ... all we ask for is that there should be participation by the workers in Roscio and Sifontes municipalities ... we do not want problems in El Callao ... we want jobs."

Agapov/Rusoro representatives say they have undertaken a review of the situation and that some 250 should be re-hired but further to that they they may organize organize the labor force to take in locally unemployed people.