Competition body probes stevedore deal

The agreement guarantees the continued employment of incumbent stevedores with the same terms and conditions as they had in the original port stevedoring companies.

Initially, the government had refused to guarantee employment continuity in law, but instead suggested that this could be achieved through individual agreements between workers and employers in the various ports around Spain. However, the competition authorities are now to examine these agreements, which could prove anti-competitive.

Not all employers accepted the government’s stance, resulting in several quitting the employers’ organisation Anesco in response at the stance taken.

However, the main port union Coordinadora said that the agreements are wholly legal and has accused CNMC of “destabilising” the sector and creating uncertainty.