Ciudad Guayana sunday, 08 of 2009 of noviembre

Miners are meeting outside the Ministry of Environment
sunday, 08 of 2009 of noviembre
Alfredo Villanueva, spokesman for the miners said that thanks to the intervention of the AN solution in sight for the payment of the commitments of the conversion

Hernan Velazco



In the assembly were present about 2 thousand miners A large group of miners and mining displaced from the Caura River basin and other areas after the conversion process that promoted the national government, was met outside the premises of the Ministry of Environment of the regional capital to discuss progress payment for the crystallization of the commitments made by the executive. Alfredo Villanueva, chief spokesman of this group of workers of artisanal miners, who were adjusted to mining restructuring policies, said that thanks to the intervention of the social development committee of the National Assembly represented by Deputy Oscar Figuera, approaches the day for settlement of payments and debts for the agreement set by the government and the important number of people.


Villanueva, better known by miners as "Morrocoy," said he met for several days this week with the deputy who said all the alleged evidence was handled, about the failure of the Minister of Basic Industries and Mining (Mibam) and Piar Mission call, in terms of that debt cancellation agreed.

"We believe that we are moving. However, we must be aware that most will not accept another trick that hunger of a people can not play, "Villanueva spoke to the group of miners.

Adjusted to the laws

Spokesman informed the miners that Congressman Oscar Figuera, chairman of the committee on social development of the national parliament agreed that all evidence provided by the miners before that instance is reliable and therefore his claim is fully complying with the laws.

"That has to be filled with satisfaction that our efforts being recognized by one of the most important institutions of the nation's why we think we're aiming to achieve cancellation of the remainder of the debt conversion mining," he said.

In this vein reported that several documents submitted which contained press releases, videos and other physical materials to the committee, which were detailed by Deputy Figuera who subsequently presented to the president of the republic itself to take appropriate action .

"We rely on the help afforded us by the deputy Figuera and reaffirm that we are supporting this process headed by President Hugo Chávez, but like any human being, we want to enforce our rights under national law", brandished.

He reported that one of the main conclusions reached on the nation's capital, after the various meetings held mining leader with representatives of the NA, is the claim that these former employees made artisanal mining just leave it met the mining areas to adapt to another way of life that would assist in environmental preservation but "unfortunately the government is not completed his part and we are calling to all relevant bodies, which take us account as Venezuelans, "said Alfredo Villanueva.

Families in Need

The witness said that more than 6 thousand miners and mining which are currently waiting for the fulfillment of commitments undertaken by the national government with this group of people after the conversion, which is in a very critical situation because for most of their lives were devoted to work in artisanal mining.

"There are many needy families that urgently require that they take into account the payment, social commitments and the inclusion in the housing projects that were the main promises of the government when it began with the conversion process mining", reported.

In this vein Villanueva, revealed that despite the new truce due to the emission of positive responses to the requests made by miners and mining companies, in payment of tickets for humanitarian aid, pensions for approval for older people, the delivery of housing, the attachment to the labor camp and delivery of resources through development funds in several areas, all included in the conversion, be always alert and ready to enforce its rights with protest actions.

Mining leader stressed that the Minister of Basic Industries and Mining Rodolfo Sanz has refused to meet with sector representatives to discuss and hear their proposals. That's why they were in need and seek alternatives such as the Ombudsman and the social development commission of the National Assembly.

"Minister Sanz is a bully who has never had the delicacy to sit down and talk with representing the miners, that's why we seek other alternatives to the need felt by all these families that now urgently needed to meet this commitment "he said.

Additions to and exhausted bodies and in that sense, they hope once and for all is solvent to pay the conversion commitments to achieve the benefit of that group of former workers of artisanal mining for many years left of their lives in the mining areas of the accounts.

Moreover informed Alfredo Villanueva, who submitted an application for investigation to the national parliament to determine the allegations of corruption which have been immersed the principal officers of the Mission Piar, in complicity, according to the spokesman of the miners, with the Minister of Basic Industries and Mining.

"We present this evidence and further applied research to the National Assembly and we hope that these acts of corruption should be punished to the full extent of the law that fell on the shoulders of the miners in need," he estimated.

He noted that the most important is that it is channeling the remaining payment to the miners, and the crystallization of other commitments, which qualifies as a major achievement after so many days of fighting.

"I call for calm on all miners and mining, we know that we all have needs, but the important thing is that the solution is already designed," he said.

Meeting on 17 in Caracas

Alfredo Villanueva, leader of the miners in the state announced that it is expected that by next November 17 to bring about a meeting in Caracas, which is a representation of this sector, the social development commission the National Assembly, representatives of Mibam, Social Security, Ministry of habitat and housing, to agree on the exact date for payment of commitments already described.

This will be done after the Deputy Oscar Figuera previously meet with members of these bodies to mediate logara the application of the miners and the need for them to cancel the outstanding debt.