BUENOS AIRES: A union representing Argentine oilseed workers said on Tuesday that contract talks with export companies had stalled after days of talks mediated by the government to avoid a strike that could affect the country’s key farm industry.
“We call on all our members to remain on a state of alert,” said a statement from the Federation of Oilseed Industry Workers that criticized local and international export companies for being tight-fisted.
An earlier work stoppage by the labour organization ended under a government order calling on both sides to negotiate.
South American grains powerhouse Argentina is a big corn and wheat exporter as well as the world’s No. 1 supplier of soyameal used to feed hogs and cattle from Europe to Southeast Asia.
The cash-strapped government needs export dollars and tax revenue to fund relief for people hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Some 37,432 Argentines have died from the virus so far.
Grains port tugboat crews were called back to work by the government and also ordered to negotiate after a short-lived strike on Nov. 18. Also last week, a strike by a port workers union slowed loading of several grains ships as the country’s economy shrinks and labour tensions mount.
“We met today but we could not reach an agreement,” said Gustavo Idigoras, head of Argentina’s CIARA-CEC export companies chamber.
“They are requesting a salary increase that is more than the inflation rate. We are committed to pay in accordance with inflation. That’s the big difference that we have with the federation. We are still open to negotiating an agreement but we need to see some flexibility from the union,” Idigoras said.
With this year’s wheat harvest just starting, and corn and soy planting currently underway, November is not high export season for Argentina.—Reuters