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ILO Gives Chilean State Until June to Respond to Forestry Contractors' Complaint

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On April 27, 2011, during the administration of President Sebastián Piñera, Chile ratified Article 187 of the ILO Convention for worker safety.

Upon signing, Chile committed to "promote a safe and healthy work environment by developing a national policy." At least that is mandated in Section 3 of the convention.

In October 2022, the Association of Forestry Contractors filed a complaint or request with the International Labour Organization for non-compliance with this convention due to the series of attacks suffered by workers in the sector.

"Last year, we had four deaths in the sector—confirms René Muñoz, Manager of this workers' organization—and annually, 130 people suffer various consequences from these attacks. There are physical injuries or psychological problems. 1,400 sick leave days due to these issues," states René Muñoz in contact with Sabes.cl.

"What we submitted is not a legal lawsuit—continues Muñoz's account—what the ILO does is a kind of mediation. A report has been requested from the Chilean government, with a deadline for submission (June this year). After this report, conciliation should follow. We have requested participation in this process from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Labor, and the Association. If no good agreement is reached, this could result in fines for Chile and, in the worst case, the country's expulsion from this ILO convention."

The submission was declared admissible, and a tripartite committee was formed to examine it, according to the letter sent to the complainants in this case.

When asked about the current situation of violence in the area, René Muñoz notes: "In Biobío, incidents have decreased; this year, we've had only one attack. Strictly speaking, there have been 15 incidents—75% in Araucanía, 1 in Biobío, and 3 in Los Lagos. But the reality is that from Los Álamos southward, there is no work, no official forestry activity. We must analyze if there is illegal activity. Over 100,000 hectares are effectively seized," concluded the Manager of the Association of Forestry Contractors.

Source:www.sabes.cl