The contribution of the chilean migration to the formation of a new working class in the northeast of Chubut: 1956-1989

Authors

  • Gonzalo Pérez Álvarez Doctor en Historia recibido en la Universidad Nacional de la Plata y Licenciado en Historia por la Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia, sede Trelew. Investigador del CONICET y de la UNPSJB

Abstract

We tried to understand the process of formation of a new working class in north-eastern Chubut, central region of the argentinean Patagonia, from the imposition of an industrialization project subsidized by the state, covering the period 1956-1989. In this process was important the contribution made by workers from the neighbouring country of Chile, who incorporated their experience and traditions of struggle and organization in that construction. In the region was formed a textile industrial park, primary aluminium factory and fish processing plants, aiming the state power, consolidate the exercise of national sovereignty over under populated territories. It thus sought to build a working class who shared the “national” objectives and were not “politicized”. Chilean-born workers were part of the resistance to this state project.

Keywords:

working class, developmentalism, chilean migration, Chubut