Argentine port workers signal another 48-hour strike next week

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Argentina’s grains exports remained paralyzed on Thursday due to a strike by port workers demanding to be vaccinated against Covid-19, with the labor unions threatening another 48-hour work stoppage next week.

Argentina’s Port and Maritime Activities chamber said the strike on Wednesday and Thursday had halted port activity.

Industry leaders agree port workers should be protected from Covid-19, but Argentina’s vaccination program has had a slow roll-out.

After a meeting with government officials late on Wednesday, the unions issued a statement saying they would “continue the struggle to protect our health.” They further stated that they “are ready to call a new 48-hour strike starting at 00:00 hours on Wednesday, May 26.”

Dock workers who prepare ships to sail after being loaded were among those on strike, along with tugboat captains and sailors who guide cargo ships to and from port. In addition, dock-side grain inspectors represented by the powerful Urgara union said Wednesday that they were joining the strike. Port workers are “essential” to the economy and are therefore entitled to vaccination, the unions said.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health did not reply to a request for comment.

“We as an industry recognize that all employees should be vaccinated. The government is trying to deal with the situation as best it can. It is important that ports continue to operate while coordinating future vaccination programs,” said Gustavo Idigoras, head of CIARA, the chamber of export companies.

Argentina is the world’s largest soybean meal exporter and the world’s third largest corn supplier and a major wheat exporter.

The strike comes during the high export season, when Argentine producers harvest their main cash crops of soybeans and corn.

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