US$ 60 million in losses due to conflict in Aysén
Fernando Guzmán, regional secretary for the Ministry of Economy, commented that the Chilean salmon industry had losses of US$ 52.3 million up to the first day of March due to the conflict in Aysén. Besides, he said that each additional day of demonstrations is representing losses close to US$ 1.5 million to the industry considering the high productivity of this sector in the summer season.
Mr Guzmán also stressed that there are 3,000 workers affected by this conflict together with around 1,500 indirect jobs.
According to the financial journal Estrategia, this social conflict is generating uncertainty within this industry on the threshold of a new sowing season
Meanwhile, according to the newspaper Santiago Times, among the issues the citizens want addressed are the high cost of fuel, poor public education, poor infrastructure, poor health services, and employment equity in the region. The National Workers Union (CUT) and the National Association of Public Employees (ANEF) also seek greater stability for civil servants, and Patagonia Sin Represas wants greater citizen participation on environmental issues relating to the proposed dam construction (HidroAysén).
