Labor Directorate Bolsters Inspections with New โTech, Addresses Worker Concerns at Minera Spence
Antofagasta, Chile โข -โ The Labor Directorate โฃ(DT) isโ modernizing its inspection process nationwideโ withโค the rollout ofโข a new Inspection Management System (SGI), โequipping inspectors with tablets to streamline data collection โand enforcement. The โฃinitiative,announced this week during a visit by DT director(s) toโ Antofagasta,Calama,and โtocopilla,aims to increase openness and efficiency inโค labor rights โenforcement.
The SGI allows inspectors to accessโข company information online, record findingsโข directly into tablets duringโ siteโข visits, and instantly determine if sanctions are necessary – replacing โฃthe previous paper-based system. “This new formโข ofโค inspection is the main support of the new National Inspection Policy, recently created, and that โwill โmake โคthe defense of the labor rights of workers moreโ vigorousโ andโค efficient,” stated โฃsergio Santibรกรฑez, a โDT representative.
During the visit, the DT director(s)โ also engaged with key labor stakeholders in the region. Meetings wereโค held with the Antofagasta Regional Mining Safety Council, theโ Confederation of โขCopper Workers and FESITRAN โ(attended by approximately 300 worker โrepresentatives), and the board โขof directors of the BHP Billiton Federation โof unions, owner of the Spence โmine.
At the โคmeeting with BHP Billiton union leaders, the DT presented its new free electronicโฃ union voting system and discussed a recent opinion validating and legallyโ enforcingโข framework agreementsโฃ between companies and unions. Theโข directorate confirmed it is receptive to union complaints and activelyโ working to address worker concerns,โข particularly at sites likeโค Mineraโข Spence.
A total โฃof 27 tablets were distributedโ across theโ region:โ 9 to the Loa inspection, 1 to the Tocopilla Inspection, andโ 17 toโค the Antofagasta Inspection. The DTโฃ anticipates the new system will benefit โฃworkers, union leaders,โ and employers alike.
