On 28th April, all Brazilian trade union confederations will commemorate the victims of occupational diseases and accidents by highlighting the case of the Mariana industrial accident, where more than sixteen workers died and which represents the biggest environmental catastrophe in Brazilian history. In November 2015, the collapse of a mining dam in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais led to the spread of between 40-62m cubic metres of the water and sediment from iron ore extraction at an open-cast mine operated by Samarco, a joint venture between mining giants BHP Billiton and Vale. The health and environmental consequences of this disaster are huge.
Joining the international theme, trade unions will point out to deficiencies in OHS law and lack of compliance, as well as the need to secure good union representation for workers in the mining sector.
Activities will start tomorrow 26th April, with a visit to the Mariana site, followed by a seminar on the 27th and end on the 28th with a public audience in the Minas Gerais parliament.
The programme and full background for the day can be found here: http://metalurgicos.org.br/wp-content/uploads/folder-28-de-abril.pdf
For more information please contact Cleonice Caetano Souza, from UGT Brazil saudeseguranca@ugt.org.br