A strike by public sector workers in Chile that caused significant disruption to fruit exports has been called off after the National Association of Customs Officials (Anef) reached a pay deal with the government. The new agreement means wages will rise by 5 per cent from 1 December.
Ronald Bown of Asoex welcomed the deal, claiming the walkout had caused “serious and grave disruptions” to the normal flow of fruit exports destined for different markets.
Anef president Raúl de la Puente claimed the new agreement went much further than pay as it would guarantee members’ jobs in the future. He said the high proportion of workers on temporary seasonal contracts left them exposed to arbitrary dismissal at any time. “Around 11,000 public workers have already been fired by the present government so this action was vital in securing protection for all public officials in the future,” he said.
Anef, which represents 400,000 employees nationwide including customs workers, began a 72-hour strike on 25 November which was extended for a further two days as a satisfactory agreement had not been reached.
