The national strike in Chile started in October and so far there have already been 8 days of effective strikes. What was initially planned to last only 3 days has been extended until Wednesday this week. This decision was taken by the National Association of Fiscal Employees (ANEF) of Chile, who want to put pressure on the government of President Michelle Bachelet, due to economic demands.
The strike's main objective is to demand improvements in working conditions, as well as salary increases. Depending on the item, each union requests different percentages of increases and benefits. In the specific case of companies in the agricultural sector, there are no direct strikes, but the consequences are indirect.
"There are approximately 450 trucks with Bolivian cargo that cannot be attended on the Chilean border," affirmed some sources. This suggests that regional trade is being affected by this strike. The Chilean Minister of Agriculture, Luis Mayol, affirmed that, from an agricultural point of view, direct losses so far amount to US $80 million, mainly due to the mobilization of public officials and the port strikes.
As is well known, Chile is the largest exporter of fresh fruits in the southern hemisphere, so any delays in the shipment of these fruits could cause irreparable damage to the image of the South American country. Asoex, as an association of exporters, admits the severity of the situation and is working with trade associations to find a solution as quickly as possible.