Peruvian miners vote for June strike

Peruvian miners have voted to go on strike from 16th June.

The action is being taken by the country’s largest federation of mining unions, which represents 28,000 miners and 70 unions.

It will affect around 12 mines including those operated by Southern Copper, Renco and Shougang Corp of China.

Miners are angry at a decision by the country’s Congress to delay passing legislation to improve pay, pensions and the rights of contracted workers.

Proposed new laws that could increase profit-sharing for employees have been returned to the committee stage, delaying benefits for miners at a time when copper and gold prices have been soaring.

Next month’s action will bring the number of walkouts by Peruvian miners to three in the past thirteen months.

Peru is the world’s leading silver producer and third-largest producer of copper and zinc. The country’s gold production ranks fifth in the world.

Previous strikes by Peruvian miners have put pressure on international metals prices.