Ports Feel Effects Of Chile Strikes

Port operations in Chile have been disrupted after dockworkers took part in protest strikes in the country.

Dockworkers united with workers from other industries in striking earlier this month, after Chilean President Sebastian Pinera appeared to ignore demands to take action on issues including high living costs. Ports affected reportedly include Valparaiso and San Antonio.

The country’s economy relies heavily on natural resource and other exports, and therefore relies on port operations, an Antofagasta dockworker union leader, Eduardo Rojas, told Al Jazeera earlier this month.

“This is our third work stoppage since protests began,” he said. “Ports are paralysed from Arica to Punta Arenas. Other ports that are not part of the Chilean Dockworkers Union have also joined in.”

The International Dockworkers Council has warned of an international solidarity boycott. Earlier this month it expressed concern about police violence against Chilean protesters and dockworkers, in particular, said Al Jazeera

“Should the repression against the dockworker family intensify, we will initiate an international boycott of cargo from ships coming from the Republic of Chile,” the Council said.

24 people have been killed and at least 2,000 have been injured during the unrest so far.
Source: Port Strategy