Dear friends and families, As the main coordinator and on behalf of the International Miners' Coordination, I express our solidarity and full support for your determined fight for your jobs.
It is outrageous how the mining company and its servile government are treating you.
Miners and the environmental movement together – worldwide! Let's save the foundations of human life'
With the rightward development and fascistisation of the governments of many countries, the attacks on the masses are intensifying with restrictions of bourgeois democratic rights and the shifting of the burdens of the crisis. There is also an intensified attack on nature and the foundations of human life, as for example in Germany, where many environmental and occupational safety requirements are to be abolished.
Following the election victory of the reactionary Georgian government at the end of Oktober, the manganese monopoly has locked out 3,000 miners and 2,000 metalworkers in manganese processing. In addition, the workers are to forgo 40% of their wages and benefits. In addition
The miners and metalworkers are not prepared to do this. Our unwavering solidarity belongs to them! We have received the following appeal from your initiative group of Chiatura miners as an open letter:
This accident also shows how correct the assessment of the International Miners' Coordination Group is, which was recently published in the ICG newsletter: "Based on the reports we have received, we have the impression that mining accidents with fatal outcomes and repression against active trade union colleagues are increasing. The ongoing global financial and economic crisis has significantly increased the exploitation of and shifting of the burden of the crisis onto the miners and their families." There are technical possibilities (methane measuring devices) with which the danger of a gas explosion can be detected before it breaks out - such accidents are therefore avoidable!
To the Philippine government, trade union KMU, Defend Jobs (DJP)
We, the International Coordinating Group of the International Miners Coordination, protest in the strongest terms against the repression and measures taken by the government against trade unionists. The two trade unionists Ed Cubelo and Rodrigo Esparago are accused of violating the anti-terrorism law. Trade union activity is not terrorism!
Yes, indeed this tragedy occurred. Not two, but three miners died. The tragedy took place at the Mysłowice-Wesoła coal mine, located directly in the vicinity of Katowice, in Silesia - it happened at 3:29AM on 14 May. There was a bump, the tremor occurred 665 metres underground. Fifteen people were in the affected area, eleven were withdrawn.
As Uganda gears up to start oil production in 2025, controversy over the proposed East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has pitted economic development against environmental protection and human rights.
A recent European Parliament resolution seeks to delay the 1,443-kilometer pipeline, which is supposed to transport crude oil from western Uganda to the Tanzanian coast. The non-binding resolution cites risks to both countries' protected natural reserves, water sources, and wetlands and notes that use of the oil will result in up to 34 million tons of carbon emissions annually (European Parliament, 2022; Independent, 2022).
The 3rd International Miners' Conference 2023 in Germany passed groundbreaking resolutions:
No struggle must stand alone anymore! Transnational solidarity, coordination and cooperation are the order of the day!
Full success of solidarity has significance for all miners: Miner Julian Wächter has won his case against Kali + Salz (K+S)! At the court hearing on 11 April, the Fulda Labour Court ruled that K+S had unlawfully dismissed miner Julian Wächter without notice. The reason for this was his militant speech at a staff meeting in September 2023. This means that the employment relationship remains in place. Julian must continue to be employed until the end of the legal dispute. Congratulations to Julian!