Thousands of port workers in Chile go on strike

Around 6,500 port workers in Chile started a 48-hour strike from Wednesday morning.

PHOTO: View of the commercial dock in the Port of San Antonio, Chile. Getty Images

The workers, represented by Union Portuaria across 23 terminals and Chilean ports, are protesting over stalled negotiations with the government about their work contracts.

Striking port workers are demanding better working conditions, creation of a pension system for heavy work, modernisation of port regulations and grace pensions, the Union Portuaria workers union says.

The strike will last until 8.00 local time (11.00 GMT) on Friday.

According to security firm GardaWorld, the ports of Antofagasta, San Antonio, Iquique and San Vicente are likely to be the most affected by the strike.

It reported a “significant traffic disruptions” on Wednesday around the Port of San Antonio.

By Shilpa Sharma

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