7,000 workers at risk in Buenaventura

SPRBuen is to contract 500 new employees to supplement work undertaken by private operators in the port who suggest that this will put in danger the jobs of 7,000 directly or indirectly employed workers.

According to Charles Díaz, president of the association of port operators, the private companies have never had a problem with the port directors and he says that they shouldn’t be kicked out of the port.

However, Víctor Julio Gonzales, SPRBuen director, stresses that there are complaints being made about efficiency in the port from the owners of cargo.

He added that, as administrator of the terminals, the port authority is responsible for moving containers for security inspection. However, at the moment, this work is being undertaken by terminal operators and has resulted in additional costs of 20% having to be paid by customers.

“What we are going to do is permitted under the law; from now on, the port is going to be more competitive,” he said.