Brazilian dock workers will be going on strike on 19 March in protest against planned privatisation of the ports.  The dockers have said that they will go on indefinite strike if the action on 19 March is not successful.

The government in Brazil plans to invest US$27 billion in its ports over the next five years and plans to privatise the terminals. The workers’ main concern is that the privatised ports will lead to fewer jobs and lower wages. Currently, workers at the public ports are hired through a centralised pool of workers that helps maintain wages and benefits for the workers. The new legislation to privatise the ports eliminates the requirement for new workers to be hired through that pool.

All companies with shipments bound for Brazilian ports should advise their customers accordingly.