Chile billionaire throws massive party for miners

Chilean billionaire Leonardo Farkas has thrown a massive party for the 33 workers rescued last week from a collapsed mine, giving each man a motorbike and even offering to buy two of them houses.
The black tie party, attended by some 300 people, was held in the Caldera Cultural Center not far from the site of the August 5 cave-in that trapped the miners before their dramatic rescue made them international celebrities.
Farkas had already has given checks of 10,000 dollars to each of the miners, who were freed last week after being trapped some 700 meters (2,000 feet) deep underground at the San Jose mine for 69 long days.
Late Tuesday, the notoriously eccentric mining magnate, made an additional gift of 10,000 dollars to the two miners who became fathers during the ordeal, local media covering the event said.
In one highlight during the reception, two miners proposed marriage to their sweethearts, each dropping to one knee to pop the question, the reports said.
Mario Sepulveda, who became the media's darling for his raucous celebrations on being pulled second from the mine, used the event to call for better labor conditions for miners across the country.
"I wish the owners were more sensitive (to our needs), and, as I've often said, that they treat us as great miners and workers of Chile."