More than 4000 Colombian miners in the western departments of Caldas and Risaralda are expected to strike from 9AM, Monday to demand better working conditions, Colombian media reported.
Various protests are due to take place on main roads throughout the two coffee-producing departments until 2PM, said Jhonny Garces, president of the country’s federation of small and medium miners.
Garcés explained that the protest would be peaceful but aims to urge the national government to listen to the miners and understand that 70 percent of the people engaged in this activity are not criminals and have relied on mining their whole lives.
In the past, Colombian government has been criticized for allegedly persecuting small-scale miners as part of a crack down on illegal mining activity, while favoring multinational corporations, who have been granted the right to exploit Colombian land.
MORE: Small-scale miners persecuted to clear way for multinationals: Senator
Garces also announced that a national strike had been planned for July, 17 following a meeting Saturday in Medellin.
Sources
- Mineros de Caldas y Risaralda se plantarán hoy (La Tarde)
- Mineros del Eje Cafetero protestarán por judicialización de 150 trabajadores del sector (Radio Caracol)