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Fishing fleet docked in Mar del Plata. (Photo: Lia Russo)
Fishermen consider resuming work with certain conditions
ARGENTINA
Friday, July 13, 2012, 23:50 (GMT + 9)
The members of the Fishermen’s Maritime Union (Simape) will decide whether to resume work or not at a meeting after having spent over three months on strike.
“It is necessary to make it clear that this does not mean ending the strike,” the assistant Secretary of Simape Pablo Trueba stated.
If the sailors decide to resume work today, they will do so with certain conditions, that is to say, they will perform an eight-hour working day and not nearly double that period as it is the usual thing in the sea, La Capital reported.
Otherwise, the members of the union will decide to continue on strike.
This Friday’s meeting was organized after the National Labour Ministry summoned fishing companies to start work because all the necessary conditions to do so have been contemplated.
"Here there is enormous confusion. Even though there has been a warning, the problem entrepreneurs must face is that there are no sailors because they are on strike. Out of 10 of them, nine belong to Simape," Trueba stressed.
In the port of Mar del Plata in Buenos Aires province, the conflict began 105 days ago.
Simape claims a 22 per cent wage increase, which the Maritime United Workers Union (SOMU) has already accepted -- and that the wage should be paid in one installment.
The official proposal consisted in paying the increase in two installments but Simape rejected it.
Meanwhile, fish filleters from Mar del Plata started an indefinite blockage of the route Autovía 2, in the access to that town, in demand of a solution to the conflict, reported InfoBae.
“Workers say they will remain there “until the Mayor Gustavo Pulti convenes them to a discussion board” and “provides a subsidy for filleters,” expressed the sector in a statement.
They also require "a settlement of the situation and be assured job security."
According to the Secretary General of the Fish Workers Union and Allied Workers (UTPyA-CTA), Roberto Villaola, "more than 6,000 families are experiencing a helpless situation."
The secretary ensures filleters "have not received any aid," as they work under "extremely hard" conditions, and therefore "need an immediate economic support."
Meanwhile, the president of the Chamber of Deep-Sea Fishing Vessel Owners, Darío Sócrate insisted that companies "desperately" need to go to work, Pescare reported.
Related article:
- Strike continues, but negotiations with entrepreneurs are likely
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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