According to sources in the sector, the strike would occur one day before the presentation of a bill proposal in the Chamber of Deputies reducing standards and social principles of port workers, extinguishing unions representing four categories of the Santos port: cargo conferees, repairmen, block workers and port watchmen.

Among other demands of the strikers are also the rejection of the privatization of anchorages and automation, which may put jobs at risk.

“There was no room for our participation in the discussions. We are not against modernity or new investments in the port, but we have to guarantee the rights of the workers,” said Miro Machado, president of the Santos Port Workers Union, who considered that the change completely removes the responsibility of the terminals with the workers, and will lower wages. “It will be a chaos for the city if that happens,” the unionist stressed.

“The workers are outraged, afraid of losing rights won many years ago,” said Bruno José dos Santos, president of the Stevedores Union of Santos, the largest port in Brazil and Latin America.

The workers’ concerns, reflect similar tensions in recent port strikes in other countries.

The strike in Brazil has the potential to significantly disrupt the supply chain, which could affect the import and export of essential goods, especially at times of high commercial demand.

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