A strike by oilseed workers in Argentina is set to enter its seventh day on Monday as wage negotiations with companies remain stalled, affecting shipments from one of the world's biggest grain exporters.
“For now, we will continue with the strike,” Martin Morales, secretary of the Union of Oilseed Workers and Employees of the San Lorenzo Department (SOEA), told Reuters on Sunday. “Tomorrow, however, we will evaluate again whether to continue or not.”
Two industrial unions went on strike last Tuesday, with workers demanding that wages be kept above high inflation.
Morales said the affected companies have not yet contacted the unions to negotiate.
The strike has subsequently affected terminals north of Rosario, where more than 80% of Argentina’s agricultural exports are shipped. At least three dozen ships were still delayed on Sunday near Rosario, one of the world’s most important agro-export hubs.
In June, the Argentine government suspended the SOEA strike, calling for mandatory reconciliation talks to resume negotiations between the union and the companies. Incidentally, Argentina is a major grain producer and one of the main exporters of oil and soybean meal.
Thus, the country depends on grain exports to obtain foreign exchange resources and strengthen the central bank's scarce reserves.
Source: Walter Bianchi and Kylie Madry | Notícias Agrícolas
