CPTnet
16 October 2007
COLOMBIA: "We are all the Federation"--union leaders invite feedback from
mining communities
by Suzanna Collerd
"There are two questions that we need to ask ourselves: Do we want to stay
here in southern Bolivar mining zone? Or do we want to leave the mining
zone? If we want to leave, all we have to do is shake the cockroaches off
of our suitcase and pack, but if we want to stay, there is a lot of work to
be done." These words from local leaders began the meetings in the
communities of Chocó Mine, Flea Mine, Easy Mine, Snail Mine, Backpack Mine
and Stump Mine 21-26 September 2007.
In the face of proposed reforms to the Colombian Mining Code that would
eliminate small-scale mining, leaders from the union FEDEAGROMISBOL
(Agro-Miner Federation of the southern Bolivar Department) visited these
mining communities to share the recent work of the Federation's leadership.
They also communicated decisions made in the IV Assembly of the Communities
of southern Bolivar.* CPTers Suzanna Collerd and Joel Klassen accompanied
the union leaders on their journey from mine to mine.
The work of the miner's union has focused on developing an interethnic
coalition of small-scale miners from around the country. The leaders hope
to build on Indigenous experiences of organizing and Bolivarian knowledge of
the mining issue. The Assembly concluded that communities should come up
with proposals to challenge the code reform that would take into account
respect for the environment and what they needed for a dignified life.
Additionally, these leaders used the time to invite criticisms of the work
the FEDEAGROMISBOL board has been doing, and to clarify confusion generated
by soldiers' comments in during military campaigns throughout the area.
For example, one community member said that the military had asked him what
he thought of the union. When he responded that he thought they were
working for the miners' best interest, the soldier countered, "They are no
good; they are twisted." ** Others from the community responded, "The
actions of the Federation speak for themselves, they have worked to protect
our right to live and work in the mining zone." One leader added that the
day that the union starts to ask for funding from the communities, they
should doubt their work. That comment distanced the work of from that of
the guerrillas who continue to tax miners and merchants in the area.
"Furthermore," continued a leader, "we are all the Federation and the
proposals for our future must come from the communities. The leadership
works only in the service of the goals of people of this region."
Each community closed the meetings with a commitment to develop proposals
for a regional assembly on 6-7 October. By participating in this tour, CPT
was able to understand more deeply the realities of the mining zone and
share the work the team has been doing in support of these communities.
*To read more about the Assembly, see 9 October CPTnet release, "ROOSTER
MINE, SOUTHERN BOLIVAR: Defending life and the right to remain." **In this
context, "twisted" implies collaboration with guerrilla groups, dishonesty,
thievery, and lying.
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