24 April, 201371 per cent of Codelco employees and 65 per cent of Anglo American employees are contract workers. In the chemical sector, 62 per cent of SQM workers are contract workers. This data, included in a new IndustriALL report on subcontracting in Chile, reflects the extent of subcontracting in Chilean industry
One of the most common strategies used by Chilean companies to maintain their competitive position, internally and externally, has been labour flexibility and subcontracting. This statement is taken from a report prepared by the the labour team at the CENDA Foundation and commissioned by IndustriAll.
“Subcontración en sectores industriales chilenos” [Subcontracting in Chilean Industry] was prepared in response to concerns about the extent of subcontracting and the situation of workers in sectors in which IndustriAll has a presence.
The report maps subcontracting in the mining, oil, forestry, cellulose and paper, chemical, metalworking and mechanical engineering and textile sectors in the country, using publicly available information and data supplied by trade unions.
It includes general information on each sector, its economic importance, the particular nature of subcontracting and the trade union situation. The report also includes a general description of the country, information about subcontracting and a description of specific branches of production.
The report does not reach conclusions but makes observations on the situation in each sector. The aim is to make the situation better known, promote an exchange of views and opinions among IndustriAll affiliates and develop trade union strategies on this issue.