Following failed negotiations with the Brazilian government over privatisation plans, port workers are preparing to strike at 36 Brazilian ports on 19 March 2013, according to media reports.
The workers, represented by Forza Sindical, which groups 45 member unions, staged a series of mini strikes in mid February over the government’s plans to privatise Brazil’s ports that were announced in December 2012. The strikes, which the Brazilian government said were illegal, ground to a halt after the government agreed to enter negotiations and suspend a heavy fine which was imposed against the workers.
The 6 hour mini strikes supposedly cost the Port of Santos, one of Brazil’s largest ports, R$60m (US$30.3m). The workers’ new plan for a 24 hour strike next week is thought to have arisen after a lack of progress was made with negotiations.
According to the unions, the port workers are concerned that the privatisation of the ports will lead to fewer jobs and lower wages. Currently, they are employed through a centralised labour control board which helps to maintain wages and benefits but, with the new legislation, the need for the board would be eliminated.
The government says the new 'Logistics Investment Program for Ports’ aims to encourage better management and infrastructure of Brazilian ports.
The waiting time to load vessels at the Port of Santos and the Port of Paranagua is already thought to be 50 to 60 days.
As the largest importer of soybeans, China is already said to have switched its business, buying from US ports in order to avoid the lengthy Brazilian delays.
