Luis Figueroa Mazuela
Luis Humberto Figueroa Mazuela was a Chilean typographer, trade union leader, and politician of the Communist Party of Chile.
He was president of the Central Única de Trabajadores de Chile between 1965 and 1973, Deputy for Santiago’s 1st District, and Minister of Labor and Social Welfare under President Salvador Allende.
Early life
Figueroa was born in Valparaíso on 22 June 1922, the son of Daniel Figueroa Lainis and Rosa Mazuela.On 28 June 1940 he married Ema del Carmen Gómez Berríos in La Calera.
He worked as a typographer, beginning his union activism in his own trade. He later became youth president of the Confederación de Trabajadores de Chile. A member of the Communist Party of Chile since 1938, he also served on its Central Committee.
Political career
Figueroa served as secretary general of the CUT from 1962 to 1965, and as its national president for two consecutive terms between 1965 and 1973.In the 1969 elections, he was elected Deputy for the 7th Departamental Group for the 1969–1973 legislative term. He sat on the Permanent Commissions of Foreign Relations, and of Labor and Social Security.
He co-sponsored bills that became law, including Law No. 17.289, which increased resources for the Pension Revaluation Fund, and Law No. 17.423, which amended the Chilean Labor Code.
On 2 November 1972, President Salvador Allende appointed him Minister of Labor and Social Welfare. He was removed on 20 June 1973 following a impeachment for allegedly obstructing the application of labor law during the indefinite strike at the El Teniente copper mine.