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Montevideo, March 29th 2024 - 04:50 UTC

 

 

Riots caused Spanish fishing companies EUR 100 million losses

Wednesday, October 10th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
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Vice-Pte. Daniel Scioli and Xunta Pte. Emilio Perez  meet over recent events Vice-Pte. Daniel Scioli and Xunta Pte. Emilio Perez meet over recent events

Xunta de Galicia authorities disclosed that the four Galician owned companies located in southern Argentina that were attacked by fishery workers in the midst of violent riots, have not yet recovered labour-wise or economically.

It is estimated that the victimised fish companies Argenova (from the Pescanova SA Group), Pescargen, Santa Cruz and Vieira suffered losses equivalent to 100 million Euro last July, when they were targeted by violent protestors who set fires and destroyed the companies' facilities and vehicles. Miguel Lopez Sieiro, Secretary general of the Xunta de Galicia Fishery and Maritime Affairs Council informed the Galician Parliament that the damaged companies are working at a "less-than-normal rate." In the case of Argenova, Sieiro said that activity has not resumed as damaged property has not yet been completely repaired, and vessels have not unloaded their cargo at Puerto Deseado, province of Santa Cruz, fearing new riots. Last July 20, 400 fishery workers on strike and claiming higher wages took to the streets, occupied Puerto Deseado's City Hall and Deliberating Council, burnt furniture and later stormed and torched several fishing companies, mostly Spanish. On August first, Argentina's Ministry of Labour dictated a conciliation decree forcing both sides to resume negotiations. At the time the Argentine government informed the Xunta de Galicia that the Spanish companies would be compensated for damages caused by striking fishermen and plant workers. Last Friday, as part of an official visit to Argentina, the president of the Xunta, Emilio Perez Touriño, met with Argentine Vice-President Daniel Scioli, to table talks on both countries' political, socio-economic agenda. Regarding the best interests of the Galician fishers operating in Argentine territory, after the incidents in Puerto Deseado, Scioli reiterated full commitment on the part of the Argentine Government to safeguard Spanish companies' interests in their territory, stated the Xunta de Galicia in a press communiqué. (MP/FIS)

Categories: Fisheries, Argentina.

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