Background on the Cananea Strike and its Significance
The resolution of the Cananea strike, following an 18-year historical struggle, marks progress in a development model rooted in Mexican humanism, championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum. The Mexican state has committed to ensuring social and environmental justice as the guiding principle for government actions.
Government Efforts and Collaboration
Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, highlighted the advancements in coordinated work between federal and state authorities regarding the 2007 strike and damages caused by the 2014 Sonora River spill.
- Direct payment of indemnities to miners, widows, and their families has commenced.
- The government views this as a matter of dignity, not just resources.
- The transformation government listened to voices and worked towards resolving one of Mexico’s longest labor disputes.
In July 2021, the Justice Plan for Cananea was initiated with five key areas: dignified work, free medical care and medications, urban improvement, well-being, and environmental and water rights.
In November of the previous year, Sonora Governor Alfonso Durazo visited the Secretariat of Interior alongside union leaders and Cananea Section 65 miners to request conflict resolution.
President Sheinbaum instructed finding solutions to the issues between Grupo México and workers, involving federal servants from various areas, primarily the Labor and Social Prevision Secretariat and the Hacienda and Credit Public Secretariat.
Addressing Environmental Concerns
Since February of this year, a diagnosis has begun to address community demands and strengthen restoration, sanitation, and improved health services in the Sonora River area.
This effort has been crucial through collaboration between the state government, the Environment and Natural Resources Secretariat, the National Water Commission, and IMSS Bienestar.
Financial Contributions and Plan Implementation
A resource fund has been established with a 70% contribution from Grupo México, 22% from the Mexican government, and 8% from the Sonora state to develop an Integral Justice Plan for Environmental and Social Justice.
- Grupo México will contribute 1,500 million pesos, plus an additional 59 million pesos previously deposited with the Federal Conciliation and Arbitration Board in 2018 and 2019.
- The federal government will contribute 483.6 million pesos, and the Sonora state will add 180 million pesos.
- A total of 2,222 million pesos will be invested in the plan, focusing on:
- Environmental Justice: Restoration mechanisms in the affected watercourse, studies to determine soil and sediment damage extent, and saneamiento of contaminated soil.
- Water: Strengthened monitoring of Sonora River water quality with a real-time visualization center, new equipment, maintenance, and certified personnel for the Northwest Regional Water Quality Laboratory.
- Health: IMSS Bienestar will improve infrastructure and equipment. The Ures community hospital will be transformed into a Regional Hospital with 60 beds, 21 specialty consultation rooms, an intensive care area, a renal health center with necrology services, six hemodialysis chairs, and specialized laboratories for heavy metals and toxicology.
- The existing hospital will be converted into a lodging facility for families of hospitalized patients.
President Sheinbaum’s Commitment
Secretary Rodríguez emphasized that the 18-year struggle has ended, marking a historic moment. She praised President Sheinbaum’s unwavering commitment to miners’ and their families’ labor rights and environmental rights defense.
The Fourth Transformation’s directive is clear: the state must support those left behind and contribute to creating new life projects by restoring rights.
