And…. they came back to life

Publicado: 14 Octubre 2010
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 Copiapó. The first of the 33 miners, who were trapped at a depth of 700 meters underground in San Jose Mine, after it’s collapse on August 5th, was rescued around 00.10 hours on October 13th, Thursday.



The meticulous work of location and the successful rescue operation put an end to two months of entrapment, suffering, anguish and uncertainty, and made it possible for them to be reunited with their families and to come back to life.



UNI Americas celebrates with joy and true happiness as all the Chilean country rejoices. We also congratulate the courage and integrity of these 33 men who fought for their lives under such extreme conditions. At the same time, UNI Americas makes a call so that International Labour Standards should be respected as well as the functioning of Paritary Committees of Security and Health. At the moment of writing this article, 28 workers had been rescued. We hope that the operation ends with complete success while the world rejoices over this incredible outcome. The details of this unprecedented operation have been followed at a global level.



Our first conclusions in relation to this accident are: that we must highlight the importance the authorities have given to security in the mining activity, and the role of union leaders in demanding better conditions in relation to security at work, especially in activities in which accident risk rates are higher, as in the case of the mining industry. We hope that this will definitely help raise awareness of the necessity instating Decent Work, and that never again mining workers shall have to face such dramatic situations like the ones we witnessed through TV broadcast, which will be etched on our consciences forever.



Thanks to everyone who made it possible for these 33 men to come back to life. They have been born again, they have been able to embrace and caress their families, who stood by them stoically, awaiting for this true miracle to happen.



Contact: uni-americas@uniglobalunion.org