Demonstration held by workers unionised at SOMU.

Chubut could have lost USD 131 million due to SOMU strike

ARGENTINA
Wednesday, November 28, 2018, 02:00 (GMT + 9)

Fishing business people met on Monday in Trelew, Chubut, with independent shipowners and owners of cold storage firms to assess how to continue with the activity given the stoppage of the ports of the province and the prolonged strike held by sailors unionized at SOMU.

At a press conference, the president of the Chamber of the Yellow Fleet of Chubut (CAFACh), Pablo Novello, said that Chubut has lost some ARS 5 billion (USD 131.4 million) for the 30 stoppage days, which are not only damaging the sailors, but also to all port workers, shipowners and merchants who depend on fishing. It is estimated that there are about 6000 workers affected by this conflict, reported El Chubut.

In addition, he said that they are concerned that Chubut runs the risk of losing international markets.

Given that a month of delay has already elapsed in the beginning of the shrimp fishery in provincial waters, the continuity of the conflict also jeopardizes this crustacean season.

Novello hinted that in the background of this union conflict there are other interests that exceed the borders of Chubut, suggesting that there are influences from business sectors from Mar del Plata, which are the main beneficiaries and stakeholders so that they do not fish in the waters of Chubut, Revista Puerto reported.

"We made our offer based on the market price, changing from ARS 23.40 a kilo of shrimp to a value of ARS 37.45 (equivalent to around USD 1), which represents a 60 per cent increase in the price", stressed CAFACh president.

In this regard, he emphasized that no other productive sector or the country's economy has had wage improvement offers in those values.

"Given the union's refusal, we have already been unemployed for a month, and that is why we are promoting this meeting with all the actors in the sector to convey our concern and make a call to reflect on the sailors and their leaders," said the Chubut leader.

Novello stressed that the offer made by the Chamber "is the maximum" it can and that they will not give up "one more centimetre", while warning that the current situation puts the shrimp season in Chubut water "at risk".

Related articles:

- Union strike leads to supply shortage in Chubut’s fishing plants
- Union conflicts in Chubut could affect shrimp fishing

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