Argentina’s port workers’ vaccination strike halts grain exports
A 24-hour strike for Covid-19 vaccination by Argentina’s port workers has brought agricultural exports to a halt.
Activity in Argentina’s ports has come to a grinding halt after port workers went on strike over demands for a Covid vaccination programme. Reports now indicate that workers are planning to extend the strike into Friday and may strike again next week.
Manager of the Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities, Guillermo Wade, told Reuters: “All shipping is at a halt”.
“We are concerned about the lack of responses from state authorities regarding the need to vaccinate workers in our sector who have worked throughout the pandemic,” wrote the large union Urgara announcing its plans to join the strike.
“Our priority is to protect the health of workers and their families, and we will make it known, because we are essential.”
Media reports suggest that less than 20% of the Argentinian population has received a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and that supplies remain limited across the country.
