Salmon workers protest
Shortly following the series of dialogues dedicated to the private and public sectors of the salmon industry (see “Strategies for sustainable growth”, 08.06.07), two groups within the salmon workers federation, the Federation of Quellón and Fetrainpes (Workers of the Salmon Industry Workers Federation) organized a protest on the steps of the SalmonChile (Association of Chilean Salmon Producers) headquarters in Puerto Montt. The main declaration was their renouncement in participating in any more dialogues between the government and the industry - they see no tangible results from these conversations. “We are protesting against the persecution towards our [union] directors, syndicate practices and the disrespect for workers rights,” states Benjamin Teneb, spokesperson of the protest. Some of the requests made by the workers federation are a minimum salary of US$ 667 per month, catastrophic accident insurance, and recognition of work-related illnesses.
