The International Dockworkers Council (IDC), with more than 120,000 workers and 93 affiliated unions worldwide, express their most absolute solidarity with the Chilean people and their just demands, and repudiate the dictatorial measures imposed by their president, Sebastián Piñera Echenique.

We have looked on in horror as the actions of the police and the armed forces have so far left a balance of 15 deaths, hundreds of wounded and arrestees; tragedy is repeating itself after 46 years in a democratic state.

We are aware of the demands of the Chilean people, which are totally legitimate, particularly the social demands concerning benefits, pensions, health care, education, basic services such as electricity, water, and much, much more.

In our view, it is disgraceful that Chile, one of the countries in Latin America with a stable economy, forces its inhabitants to take to the streets to confront the police in order to seek solutions and be heard, in the face of the abusive excesses of a government that increases citizens' cost of living every day.

We believe that social organisation and protest are legitimate actions within the rule of law, and that the state must see that appropriate conditions are provided to ensure that organisation and protest do not end with dead and wounded, as we have seen in these days of mobilisation.

We vehemently state that the restrictions that have been imposed are unacceptable.
We express our total support to our Chilean siblings who have mobilised for their just, legitimate demands.

We vigorously call upon the President of the Republic, Mr Sebastián Piñera Echeñique, to put an end to the restrictive measures, to end the curfew, and immediately withdraw the armed forces from the street, as initial measures with a view to beginning constructive dialogue, without which the number of dead and wounded will only grow.

Mr President, we call upon you to listen to and offer solutions to the demands of the Chilean people, to put an end to the privileged status of a few. We are in constant contact with the dockworkers' organisations in the ports of Chile, who have thus far carried out individual solidarity mobilisations.
Mr President, do not force us to take actions that may cause even greater harm to the economy; our solidarity goes to poor people the world over.
We remain on alert, and ready to block cargo originating from Chile in other ports worldwide.
No more abuses!
No more inequality!
No more misery!
No more murder!
No more lies!
Not one step back!

César Luna Valdovinos
IDC Coordinator, Latin America and Caribbean Region

Jordi Aragundo Miguens
IDC General Coordinator