The conflict in the port sector is escalating due to possible strike actions that could impact the loading and unloading of the ports, according to a business leader. Although the shipowners' sector indicates that they have not yet received a formal notification regarding this and highlights the existence of guidelines in the event of labor stoppages.
The Center of River and Maritime Fishing and Cabotage Masters and Officers maintains ongoing demands, such as the intention to privatize and close the National Fishing School, as well as concerns about opening fishing to foreign fleets and the possible elimination of the National Cabotage Law. Mariano Moreno, General Secretary of the Center of Masters, expressed his concern about the replacement of Argentine labor with precarious foreign workers.
The Center of Masters will participate in the transport strike called for October 30 in rejection of government adjustment policies. Although so far, union actions have not had any significant economic impact on the ports, private port authorities are negotiating to prevent grain ports from being affected, which could result in million-dollar losses.
The grain export sector would be particularly affected, with fines of around $100,000 per day per detained ship. The Argentine Chamber of Oilseed Industry and the Center of Cereals Exporters estimate an economic impact of up to $7 million on a day of strike, considering that around 70 vessels could be paralyzed.
The conflict escalates with the adherence of more unions to the general strike planned for next Wednesday in rejection of the deregulation proposed by Minister Federico Sturzenegger in maritime and river activity. Mariano Moreno, General Secretary of the Center of Masters, denounces that deregulation jeopardizes the river transport capacity of the country, considered a strategic tool.
