Strike to Hit Chilean Ports
The main dockworkers union in Chile has voted for indefinite strike action at the country’s national ports. A key labor reform act is due to be voted on in Congress sometime over the next few days. In addition, the union is also urging the government to push through better educational reforms. Members of the Port Workers Union of Chile (UPCH) took the step to industrial action in protest at a lack of progress in labour reform talks and to prod the government to do the right thing when a labour rights vote is taken in the Valparaiso congress in a few days. Chilean port workers are demanding modifications to the newly proposed labor legislation including clarification on a clause that would allow the termination of striking workers whom pose an alleged threat to damaging infrastructure…
Chile Port City Still Shut Following 8.2 Quake
As the aftershocks from a massive 8.2 magnitude quake that rattled northern Chile entered a third day, basic services were still out in the port city Iquique nearest the epicenter and residents fearful of tsunamis were fleeing into the hills. Iquique, an important port for freight travelling between Asia and South America, is shut for now. Even when ships are allowed to resume docking, it may struggle with a labor shortage, as many of its workers are holed up in Alto Hospicio, the port head told Reuters on Thursday.
ASMAR Delivers FBM Protector to be Built in Chile
The final batch three FBM Protector33 patrol vessel of the Danubio project has been baptised and commissioned the General Service Patrol Boat (LSG) "Iquique" at a ceremony in the ASMAR (Astilleros y Maestranzas de la Armada) shipyard in Talcahuano, Chile. The ceremony marked the ended of the current production of boats for the Danubio Project and is the 16th FBM Babcock Marine designed 33m Protector Patrol Vessels constructed by ASMAR for the General Directorate of Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine over a six year period. The commissioning ceremony was headed by Admiral Miguel Angel Vergara, the Commander in Chief of the Chilean Navy, who was welcomed by Rear Admiral Heinz Pearce, ASMAR Executive Director.
