Walmart Workers Report Security Aggressions After Peaceful Protest Exposing Collusion in Health Services

Juan Antonio Moreno, president of the Walmart Intercompany Union, reported that he and a group of workers were assaulted by security personnel during a peaceful protest.

This incident occurred on World Day for Safety and Health at Work, when organized workers from the Walmart Intercompany Union held a peaceful demonstration that began at the International Labour Organization (ILO), continued through Plaza Italia, and concluded outside the Mutual de Seguridad, where they raised concerns about poor practices in occupational health and alleged collusion between mutuals and companies.

According to the union leader, the mobilization ended with aggression from security staff: «It was a completely peaceful action, and we were attacked by the guard and the head of security. This is unacceptable, especially on a day meant to highlight worker safety and health,» stated Juan Antonio Moreno.

National Mobilization

The union representative explained that protests by workers have been replicated nationwide, aiming to highlight what they describe as a system that «abandon workers» and prioritizes economic interests.

In this context, he pointed to a supposed link between mutuals and private medical centers: «We denounce the existing business: workers are discharged, and then the same doctors see them in their private practices, charging 50,000 to 100,000 pesos. That is not healthcare; it is a business,» he questioned.

The leader also criticized the public debate surrounding medical leave, stating that many individuals turn to it not out of abuse but due to a lack of timely care.

«People do not buy medical leave to take vacations; they do so because they are not attended to here, as care is denied, especially in mental health, which is currently a huge crisis,» emphasized Moreno.

Additionally, he reported long wait times, lack of dignified care, and specific cases of workers waiting for hours without being seen or being sent home without solutions. He also accused the existence of a network of businesses linked to health services, ambulances, and pharmacies.

Finally, Moreno made a direct appeal to Walmart and authorities for urgent action: «We do not want to remain in the mutual. We are asking the company to take concrete actions. If not, we will continue to mobilize across the country to defend workers,» he warned.

The union also urged lawmakers, the media, and authorities to review testimonials and allegations available on their social media, in order to bring attention to what they believe is a structural crisis in the occupational health system in Chile.