The
national miners’ union has taken the first step – through conciliation based on
dialogue and respect – in the process of repairing the profound differences
that prevail in labour relations between employers and workers in Mexico. This
took place on 8 November 2012, when the union invited companies from the
mining, metalwork and steelwork sector to an exchange of ideas in Vancouver,
Canada, to revise the state of these relations. Over 40 businessmen and women
attended this meeting, and together with union leaders and advisers they took
an active part in the analysis of the issues that were raised. It is worth
mentioning that the number of companies represented make up the biggest
possible nucleus of the companies in this sector that is crucial for Mexico’s
economy.
The
results of this exchange were very positive and supported the common perception
that the path to follow both for companies in the sector and workers can be no
other than the path of rational, civilised and constructive understanding
between both production factors, with full mutual respect for the interests of
both parties. It was made clear that the wrong path, which would lead to
disaster, is that of rigid confrontation between workers and employers.
Now,
at the beginning of 2013, the constructive example set by mining, metalwork and
steelwork employers and workers stands out in the social and economic panorama
of Mexico. We must remember that the aim of this meeting was to reach a
compromise that would allow stability and certainty in labour negotiations
within the sector, and thus contribute to Mexico’s sustained economic
development, based on justice and fairness. The businessmen and women in
attendance responded positively to this meeting convened by the union, and with
their contributions they ratified their will to move in the same direction now
that new political perspectives are opening up in this country.
Mexico
needs something similar, but with much larger scope, covering the whole
country. The experience from Vancouver shows that this path is the correct one
not only for this specific sector, but also for labour relations across the
entire country. There is no other path that will make plans such as the Pact
for Mexico bear fruit, and to ensure that their suggestions do not get pushed
to the margins in big decisions about the change that is needed. This is the
way to abandon once and for all the irresponsible improvisation of the National
Action Party governments, who for 12 years corrupted Mexico’s true economic,
social, political and legal development, as well as the previous exclusive
policies that bent electoral preferences towards conservatism.
At
the Vancouver meeting it was confirmed that consultation with and agreement of
all social groups in Mexico must be the fundamental tool of all new government
policies. The decision to move along this path should be put before all other
considerations. This country is in desperate need of a real politics that corrects
our existing serious imbalances and inequalities, based on ongoing,
responsible, serious and in-depth consultation. This is the wind of change that
should blow through Mexico.
We
miners, and workers in general, are waiting for this inclusive politics to
materialise. We want absolutely all social or employment conflicts to move
towards solutions through a new governmental conduct a clear change in the
judicial system. Workers, the middle classes, campesinos, indigenous people,
students, women, and young people must not be excluded. The interests of a
wealthy few should no longer be have the privilege of government protection,
and a fair, equitable politics of wealth distribution must really, truly be set
in motion. In Mexico we are hungry and thirsty for justice.
If
this does not happen, the country can only expect prospects like those in
certain European countries at the moment, where social equilibrium and fairness
between all sectors of society have been forgotten. These are the notable cases
of Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal, with unemployment rates at around 26
percent, and around 56 percent among young people without opportunities for
education or employment. In those countries, the crisis needs only a nudge to
become a social uprising. But there are also examples from other continents,
where underdevelopment and need have continued to prey on their populations and
institutions. And where the major world financial organisations only
concentrate on cutting budgets and reducing consumption, tightening the belt of
the most needy. They fail to see that very close to them there are real models
of stability and growth, like the Scandinavian countries – Sweden, Finland,
Norway, Denmark – where a fairer social balance enables government efficiency
linked to the common benefit of the population, as well as high standards of
education, unionism and justice, which translates into social peace through
ongoing dialogue for the resolution of difficulties and conflicts.
Mexico
has already voted for the path it will follow in this six-year presidential
term. Our elected representatives must now assume their roles with a sense of
true political responsibility towards the population, and enable Mexico to rise
from the ashes to which it was reduced by previous governments. Conciliation is
of utmost importance in the first steps that the government must take. The
alternative path is that of social, political and personal confrontation, which would lead to
continuing crises.
