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“Today we have to go to work protected, and that, for both us and our families, is unsafe”

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Esteban Cáceres Burdiles, 51 years old and with over 30 years in various roles as a forestry worker, has suffered three attacks while performing his job. “On July 13, I had an attack, and believe me, it’s not nice to be there.”
He is a well-known Work Site Supervisor, with a family history in forestry: “My father was a chainsaw operator, and that’s how my seven brothers and I started to like it. We are 12 siblings, seven men and five women. That’s how we began to take a liking to forestry, starting with thinning, working as brush clearers, then moving to chainsaws, later as operators—that’s our cycle. We always liked it. Today, three of my brothers are truck drivers, three work with chainsaws, and I work as a site supervisor.”
Originally from Ramadilla, during his childhood he lived in various areas of Arauco. He completed his military service, and during his leave, his brothers, who were already working, taught him the trade. He worked in sawmills, in thinning with agricultural tractors, and as a chainsaw operator for nearly seven years at Forestal Italia, then at Forestal Kupal. “Don José Miguel de la Jara sought me out because I led in safety matters within the crews,” he explains.
Some of his bosses would come to his house to convince him to work on new projects, always ensuring he had work in their companies because he was an outstanding worker. “René Muñoz gave me the opportunity to leave the chainsaw to oversee the review of 44 chainsaw operators, checking how they worked, their equipment, and safety. After two months, he gave me full support as a site supervisor, where I also took charge of 10 logging towers. I knew nothing about it, but the job itself taught me. I didn’t know anything, but time gives you experience. I approached the older, more experienced workers and learned from them,” he adds. “I’m grateful to my wife. When we got married, I had only completed eighth grade, and she enrolled me to finish my studies in night classes. It was hard because of work, but I ranked first in my class in the first and second years of high school. Finishing third and fourth year was tougher because the job site was far, but I did it. I don’t have any education beyond high school, no technical training, but experience has given me everything I know.”
All this effort led to him being recognized in 2011 by the Wood Corporation, Corma, as an outstanding worker.
Today, Esteban works at Servicios Integrales Empresa Mapuche Newen in Raqui, Arauco, for the past 10 months. “Thank God, I’ve never been unemployed. I’ve always had good relationships and stood out. I’m happy working because when you like something, you do it with love.”
Esteban spends most of his days settled in Conumo, near Arauco, where he has a small plot. “My wife and I enjoy ourselves there. We gather leftover wood from harvests to make wood chips, which we sell as extra income—but that’s her domain. I focus on clearing and cleaning; since forestry is my thing, I love trees.” Regarding new job opportunities, he explains, “I’ve already chosen my path and don’t want more. Today, technology and higher demands can overwhelm you. I don’t have a ceiling; I can keep advancing, but there’s a lot of pressure.”
Reflecting on the importance of the forestry sector for his community, he explains, “The family-forest relationship is one because we live in a province that currently depends on the forest. For example, if we go to harvest, we provide work for truck drivers to transport, they deliver products to sawmills and pulp mills—that’s how the whole cycle works. Being part of that fills you with pride.”