IndustriALL calls on Albemarle to stop anti-union practices in Chile's lithium sector

IndustriALL has called on US multinational Albemarle, one of the world's leading lithium producers, to reinstate the unionized worker fired in Chile and to engage in constructive dialogue with the local union. IndustriALL Chile-CONSTRAMET has described the dismissal as an act of retaliation and a clear violation of the employee's right to freedom of association and to protection from workplace harassment.

The worker was reportedly pressured into accepting a "mutual agreement" after filing a workplace harassment complaint under Chile's Karin Law (Law No. 21.643), which protects workers against violence and harassment at work, in line with ILO Convention No. 190. The subsequent investigation revealed failings in the process, including delays, inadequate notifications and a lack of preventive protocols.

The dismissal came shortly after the union representative took part in an ILO tripartite meeting on women in mining and an IndustriALL workshop on strengthening union representation in the lithium sector, which, IndustriALL warns, further suggests that it was an act of retaliation against an active, up-and-coming union leader.

The incident took place at the Atacama lithium salt flats in the north of the country, where Albemarle operates one of the world's largest lithium extraction facilities. The mineral is an essential component of batteries and key to the energy transition, placing Chile in a strategic position in the global supply chain. However, concerns about workers' rights are increasing following labour disputes and allegations of anti-union practices in the sector.

In a letter to Albemarle, IndustriALL's general secretary Atle Høie warned that the dismissal was an act of retaliation, in a context of ongoing labour tensions.
IndustriALL reaffirmed its readiness to facilitate the dialogue process and recalled that companies in the mining sector must ensure a fair, sustainable and respectful transition for labour rights, throughout the lithium supply chain.

Atle Høie said:

"It is unacceptable for a global company to act contrary to international labour standards and commitments to social dialogue. Our position is clear: there can be no sustainable mining without full respect for trade union rights."

Photo credit: Salar de Albemarle en Chile, de Diario Financiero