Argentina braces for another ports strike

Argentina's ports are bracing for another labor strike after recovering from back-to-back strikes last week that paralyzed shipping throughout most of the country.

Seven grains tankers that were ready to depart from Rosario port when a strike by port workers began on 18 May were able to set sail. The last of the seven vessels left Rosario today, Capym ports chamber manager Guillermo Wade said.

Rosario is the hub for the country's grain exports on the Parana river.

A group of unions that represent port workers said they will hold a two-day strike starting on 26 May to reiterate a demand for priority access to Covid-19 vaccines.

Government authorities have rejected the unions' demands, asserting that a national vaccination plan is already underway.

Argentina has applied 11.1mn vaccine doses, but only just over 5pc of its population of some 45mn has been fully vaccinated.

By Daniel Politi