The world''s largest copper producer, Codelco, is facing a 24-hour strike on Monday in opposition to a plan that workers say would move Chile''s state-owned mining corporation toward privatisation. The Federation of Copper Workers, which represents 15,000 of the company''s 20,000 employees, called for the strike, which will be the company''s first in 18 years.
The strike would halt production of about 4,900 tons of copper and generate losses of up to $41 million, according to a Friday report from Codelco. "Contingency measures to protect people, facilities and equipment of the company, as well as maintaining the critical processes that require continuity, have been taken," the report added. According to the worker''s federation, the strike aims to draw attention to recent changes implemented by President Sebastian Pinera''s government after his 2010 election.
Those changes included laying off about 2,600 workers. According to analysts, Codelco has an excess supply of workers, who over the years have accumulated benefits that currently represent a heavy burden for the company. Last year Chile produced 1.7 million tons of copper, representing 11% of world supply.
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