BUENOS AIRES – Two unions representing soybean oil factory workers in Argentina announced a strike over wages on Tuesday, halting activity in one of the world’s largest exporting hubs for processed soybeans.
Agricultural powerhouse Argentina is a top global supplier of the oilseed derivative, widely used across industries for products ranging from foods to biodiesel.
“A joint strike has been initiated at all soybean oil plants in the country… due to the lack of agreement in collective bargaining over wages,” the SOEA and the Federation of Oilseed Industry Workers said in the statement.
The two unions launched the strike early on Tuesday after meeting with sector companies, including oilseed industry chamber CIARA, to demand higher salaries for their workers. But the parties were not able to reach an agreement.
Later in the day, SOEA secretary Martin Morales told Reuters that the workers would continue the strike on Wednesday and discuss whether to prolong it later.
“We have not had any contact with the companies and we are maintaining the measure,” Mr. Morales said.
Although triple-digit inflation has been slowing in Argentina as the country grapples with a prolonged economic crisis, official data shows that consumer prices still rose 80% in just the first half of this year.
The head of CIARA, Gustavo Idigoras, said in an interview that the strike has paralyzed activity at all soybean processing plants in the South American country. – Reuters
