Bolivian miners detonate dynamites and protest against pension administrator

The miners of the state-owned Huanuni Mining Company protest in La Paz by detonating sticks of dynamite against the Public Manager of Social Security, considering that it puts their retirement contributions at risk, explained the executive secretary of the Huanuni Mining Union, Ronald Colque.

“I think it’s a fair fight for our social demands. We feel betrayed by the Central Obrera Boliviana [COB]. There are decrees against job security and we demand their repeal,” he explained in brief contact with the local press.

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Another miner, who did not identify himself for security reasons, lamented that they were gassed by the Police in their attempt to enter the center of the city of La Paz with the demonstration.

A few minutes later it was reported that the miners took over the COB building, considering that it does not defend the interests of the sector.

“We claim the Public Manager. There are more than 40 years of contributions. We are not going to allow this situation and the workers do not endorse this change,” said Ronald Mamani, in contact with Fides radio in La Paz.

The demonstrators detained some leaders of the COB and accuse the executive secretary Juan Carlos Huarachi of being a traitor.

The Huanuni miners also reject Supreme Decree 4783, which establishes that public companies and entities where the State has a majority shareholding must transfer resources to the National Treasury for investment projects and bonds.

The previous week, the workers of the state-owned Colquiri Mining Company (EMC) also mobilized against decree 4783, considering that it threatens the operation and future investments of the state-owned mining companies.

With information from Sputnik

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