EUROPE

Spain stevedoring reform depends on port finance

10 years ago

Spains Economic Development Minister Ana Pastor has sent a second proposal to the European Commission in respect of reform of the countrys stevedoring model. This follows a second referral about this subject to the European Court of Justice.

Spain's economic development minister has sent a second proposal to the EC regarding the country's stevedoring model. Credit: Grey World.

The National Ports Authority has proposed that each port would have to assume part of the cost of laying off stevedores. Most have no cash set aside for this, hence money would have to be taken from the Interport Compensation Fund.

The minister will have to guarantee the income of stevedores while changing their working practices. The 6,000 Spanish stevedores are, on average, 38 years of age, making them the youngest in Europe, with 17 years’ service left before being eligible for early retirement.

It is thought that the maximum number of stevedores that could be shed would in the region of 600, or 20% of the total.