Protesters in Santiago, Chile. Chilean flag where it reads: "No more abuse"
What began as a series of demonstrations in October 2019 against the increase in rates in the subway and the public transport system in Chile has become a wave of social unrest throughout the country. Since the beginning of 2020, the Chilean people have exercised their legitimate right to protest in the streets of Santiago, Concepción, Valparaíso and La Serena against the high cost of living, low pensions, high prices of medicines, education and health care imposed by the government of Sebastián Piñera. It reflects the rejection of the traditional political class and discredited institutions.
In response, the government has employed brute force. Twenty-seven people were killed, including a four-year-old boy. At least, 3400 citizens have and shot and injured during the protests according to the INDH (National Institute of Human Rights). More than 11,500 people have been detained. There are reports of torture, shooting at civilians, physical as well as verbal abuse. Protesters have been beaten by military and security forces according to observers.
"The government intends that damage caused to public and private infrastructure resulting from the discontent of the people be assumed by the workers and the population through taxes or cancellation of salary improvements. But we are not willing to pay the cost of an inefficient national administration and we will not accept pensions below the minimum wage," said Roberto Burgos, President of FETRAMAS and STMM, a BWI affiliated organization in Chile.
The Chilean people are on the streets for the following reasons:
Pension system: Inefficiency of Pension Fund Administrators (AFPs) and the role of private financial entities. For decent pensions. AFPs favour the wealthy, which further contributes to income inequality. It means "Work your whole life and receive a pittance."
Lack of Health protection: An inefficient Public Health Care System; the absence of hospitals and specialists, and a lack of adequate, primary health care to prevent diseases. There is also a need to reduce waiting lists that, in recent years, have increased to almost two million people. It means that "In Chile, only 20 percent of the people can pay for better quality care, while 80 percent of the population are served through an inefficient and inadequate public health care system."
Public transport: Long waits to board buses, subways, and other forms of public transportation are coupled with delays and high prices. There were recent increases of 30 pesos in an already expensive public transport rate. "According to the Diego Portales University of Santiago, out of a total of 56 countries around the world, Chile has the ninth most expensive transportation based on the average income of its habitants."
Privatization of water: The management model, established in 1981, recognizes water as a national good for public use. However, it also allows individuals to have perpetual rights over water. "Chile is the only country in Latin America that has kept its water sources privatized since the dictatorship."
Education and social mobility: There is low quality education which exacerbates class segregation. "Only those who can pay for a quality basic education will be able to access a good quality university education that guarantees social mobility. Otherwise, it is not possible."
Corruption: There is collusion between companies to fix prices, corporate tax evasion, and rampant corruption in governmental institutions. "There is a feeling of great impunity. Although there have been people put in prison and investigations, the feeling is that one who is rich and steals, in the end, is not punished.”
"The solutions proposed by the government in the ‘New Social Agenda’ do not meet the expectations of the population or workers in any of its areas, much less in health, education, or the high cost of living," said Jorge Hernández, President of FETRACOMA, another BWI affiliated organization in the country.
The BWI Regional Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean, adopted a Resolution about Chile, at its 14th Regular Meeting held in Mexico City on October 18 and 19, 2019. Facing growing protests by workers, students and the people in general, BWI, together with its affiliated organizations, reiterates its support to the Chilean people against the unfair and unequal living conditions of their population.
Trade union leaders in meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Labor