Reforma
After the fall of the regime in 1990, Chile’s newly-established democracy began to enact social reforms, including reforms intended to restore workers’ rights in the country. While reform was welcomed by Chile’s democratically-elected leaders, the country has been slow to adopt policies that protect the rights of workers. Trade unions, which can now operate freely within the Chilean political system have called for reform. Chile’s union activists have called for much needed safety reforms in the mining sector, which they argue is still affected by corruption and worker exploitation. According to Javier Castillo, the secretary of the union representing of the San Jose, Management at the San Jose mine operate “without listening to the voice of the workers when they say that there is danger or risk.”
The San Jose mine became famous around the world when a mine collapse trapped 33 miners 700 meters underground. All 33 miners were rescued after 69 days, the longest anyone has survived being trapped in a subterranean cave-in. The San Jose miners and the families of the 33 as well as Chile’s labor activists have demanded further reform after the cave-in. in July 2011, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera signed mining reforms into law.