Uruguayan port union hits out

It stresses that both dock workers and Uruguayan companies at the port are living in a situation of “anguish and uncertainty”, with the stability of their jobs under serious threat.

The move has been interpreted by some as a direct challenge to Argentina, which a year ago prohibited the transshipment of its cargo in Uruguayan ports, as well as adopting other measures that effectively disrputed operations at Nueva Palmira.

The union therefore wants the government in Montevideo to defend national sovereignty and prevent foreign workers from benefitting from operations in Uruguayan ports.

The problem is mostly restricted to the Punta del Arenal transshipment area of the port, where two permanently moored vessels transfer consignments between barge trains and deep sea vessels. The union insists this area lies within Uruguayan waters on the Uruguay River, although foreign flagged vessels and crew work there with inpunity.

As the union stresses, “Under national laws and regulations, any activity or movement should be done by domestically flagged vessels, manned by Uruguayans and not, as is currently done, by vessels operating under Paraguayan, Brazilian, Bolivian and Argentine flags.”