The stevedores in Santos, Brazil’s largest port, returned to work after 15 days on strike. The government committed itself on Monday (9 April) to release R$75 million for a voluntary severance programme, one of the union’s demands. On Tuesday (10 April) the Federal Government must specify the manner for providing credit.
The Órgão Gestor de Mão-de-obra (Ogmo, the Labour Management Agency) made the first selections of stevedores this morning, a role carried out by the union for 65 years. The transfer of responsability to Ogmo, as decided by the Court, was the principal obstacle to ending the strike. The agency is responsible for labour selection in all other Brazilian ports.
According to Ogmo Operations Director Nelson Domingos De Giulio, the climate was tense in various port areas. He stated that various stevedores connected with the union selected themselves, not accepting the work of Ogmo.
Loading and unloading operations resumed and the employers estimated that 15 days of uninterrupted work would be required to move all the cargo held up during the strike.
