The labor conflict in the fishing industry, which has lasted more than 70 days in 2025, centers on the demands of the National Union of Maritime and Related Workers (Suntma) for better working conditions, specifically the addition of an extra crew member on coastal vessels to ensure crews' rest.
This is a wildcat strike that is harming the sector's own wage earners.
This demand has led to an almost total halt of the fishing fleet, affecting 39 vessels (28 coastal and 11 offshore), and causing estimated losses of about 42 million dollars.
Suntma is demanding an additional sailor on coastal vessels to cover shifts and respect the right to rest, arguing that workers perform excessive tasks under precarious conditions.
The business chambers (CIPU and CAPU) believe that this demand violates the collective bargaining agreement in force until 2027.
They argue that the vessels do not have cabins for more crew members.
Union march | La Derecha Diario
Furthermore, the wildcat strike affects the sector's competitiveness against foreign fleets.
Million-dollar losses
The stoppage has caused losses of up to 42 million dollars, including a contract for 3,000 metric tons (6,614,000 pounds) of fish diverted to Argentina, valued at 5 million dollars.
The plants are operating at 10-30% of their capacity, depending on frozen fish or imports from Brazil, which has led hundreds of workers to unemployment insurance.
Foreign vessels operate in Uruguayan waters without complying with local regulations, which worsens the sector's crisis.
Fishing vessel | La Derecha Diario
Ultra-radicals dominate the union
Suntma is dominated by left-wing factions that are ruining the sector; the unionists basically belong to the Communist Party, the Socialist Party, and the MPP.
With this wildcat strike of more than 70 days, they are harming working families who are facing economic difficulties.
This is a ruthless strike that is costing the Uruguayan fishing sector dearly, and it could lead to its total collapse.
Suntma March | La Derecha Diario
Communist Party minister Juan Castillo is doing a terrible job; far from resolving the conflict, he is pouring gasoline on the fire with completely inappropriate statements that do not help at all.
Added to this are the conflicts at the Copsa company and in the dairy sector. A bleak outlook for the labor market.
La Derecha Diario 
