ITF and its Mexican affiliates are demanding the truth about the catastrophic explosion on 31 January at the Mexico City headquarters of Mexican state oil giant Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), which to date has killed 37 people and injured over 125.
In a joint statement on 4 February, the ITF and unions accuse the Mexican government of cover-up attempts by controlling media information and censoring Pemex workers’ accounts on social media networks.
The official government response to the accident blames it on the accumulation of methane hydrate gas or natural gas hydrate in the building’s basement but unions and experts from several other organisations, including the Mexican University (UNAM), strongly challenge this account. They argue that, given Pemex’s previous poor safety record, operational insecurity and the use of outsourced workers with poor labour conditions are far more likely causes.
The unions cite 356 fatalities in major accidents over the past 25 years at Pemex. These include 30 deaths in September 2012 in a fire at Pemex’s Reynosa gas facility, 30 people killed in San Martin Texmelucan in December 2011 and 21 fatalities in the Usumacinta platform collision in October 2007. Pemex’s use of outsourcing and reduced operational safety have been widely denounced after each accident, including by senators and the media.
The unions state: “Some of Pemex’s employment and industrial practices clearly contribute to these terrible accidents. Pemex prefers to replace workers with fair working conditions and training with outsourced workers with low labour standards and no training. It also allows corrupt practices, such as protection contracts and collective bargaining agreements with ‘yellow’ unions.
“Yet, despite our presenting evidence to the Mexican senate and others, nothing has been improved and these disastrous accidents continue. The Mexican government clearly puts the privatisation of Pemex ahead of safety and efficiency.
“We share our solidarity with the families of these 37 victims who suffer along with hundreds of other families by the irresponsible actions of Pemex. We believe that Mexican society has the right to know the real causes of this accident.”
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