Processed soybean workers in Argentina launch strike over wage dispute
06/08/2024 (Reuters), Buenos Aires - Two unions of 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 soy 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.
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.
"We are off to a good start, there's full compliance," SOEA secretary Martin Morales told Reuters, adding that during the course of the day the unions would discuss how long the strike will last.
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.