Legal procedures for the unloading of cargoes such as meat and grain at ports across Brazil may be affected due to industrial action carried out by around 70% of the country’s health supervisors, according to GAC.

Unionised Brazilian federal agricultural agents have been on strike since Friday, September 18, demanding higher wages and opposing proposed budget cuts, according to the Federal Agricultural Agents’ Union (Anffa).

All the exportation supervisor staff at the ports of Santos and Itajai, two of the biggest in the country and responsible for a major part of the loading and unloading of meat and grains, have been out on strike.

There is currently no end date forecast for the strike. However, representatives of the striking workers say that basic services will be provided to ensure public health and the health of cattle and vegetables.

The supervisors are responsible for the release of Brazilian cargo in foreign ports, amongst other activities. The industrial action is primarily affecting exports of grain and meat, though there are also fears that it may affect maize exports, GAC says.

(From: World Maritime News)