The unionists are putting a spoke in the wheel and expressing their anti-work and anti-investment ideology
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Uruguay, a country supposedly known for its "stability" and its strategic role as a base for the Galician fishing fleet in the South Atlantic, is on the verge of a collapse in its fishing industry.
What began as a labor dispute led by the Sindicato Único de Trabajadores del Mar y Afines (SUTMA) has turned into a crisis that threatens thousands of jobs, halts foreign investment, and puts Uruguay's reputation as a reliable business destination in check.
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A union demand that paralyzes an industry
The conflict erupted when SUTMA, a union with Marxist-Guevarist ideology, demanded the incorporation of a second captain per fresh fish vessel, a measure not included in the collective agreement in force until 2027.
What could have been a labor negotiation turned into a strike of catastrophic proportions, spreading to freezer vessels and industrial plants that have nothing to do with the original demand.
Companies such as Belnova, Uruguay's main fish exporter, are paying a devastating price. With more than 200 direct employees and an investment of 47 million euros in recent years, the company reports daily losses of 300,000 euros.
Employers and the government: between inaction and threats
The Cámara Industrial Pesquera Uruguaya (CIPU) has not held back on criticism. According to the employers, the strike has been accompanied by threats and riots that have created an atmosphere of operational insecurity.
SUNTMA, logotipo.
"This is sabotage against the industry and the workers who depend on it," said a CIPU representative. The organization accuses the Ministry of Labor, under Yamandú Orsi's government, of inaction that worsens the crisis.
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The economic impact is undeniable. Fishing represents a vital source of foreign currency for Uruguay, and its paralysis puts thousands of direct and indirect jobs at risk.
A blow to Uruguay's international image
Uruguay has historically been a beacon of stability in Latin America. In international headlines, Uruguay no longer appears only as a tourist destination or a meat exporter, but as a country where union conflicts can paralyze entire sectors.
The Galician press, in particular, has been forceful. Companies with decades of presence in the country are reconsidering their future in Uruguay.
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The unions: Saboteurs of progress
SUTMA defends its position by arguing that it seeks better working conditions and greater safety for maritime workers. However, the extension of the strike has caused criticism even among the workers themselves.
Inspired by similar conflicts in other parts of the world, Uruguayan unions seem to have adopted a strategy of total confrontation, without considering the consequences.
An urgent call to action
Yamandú Orsi's government faces a trial by fire. The inaction of the Ministry of Labor has exacerbated the conflict and sends a worrying message to international investors.
Pesqueros uruguayos.
Each day of the strike is a day of million-euro losses, jobs at risk, and another stain on Uruguay's image. The question now is whether Uruguay will be able to overcome this self-imposed crisis or, on the contrary, whether the unions will have, unintentionally, sunk an industry that was synonymous with progress.
