Strikes by Brazilian customs officers are disrupting major ports and the clearance of imported goods has slowed significantly. That’s according to Inchcape Shipping Services who said that unless this week’s negotiations with the government around better salaries and working conditions were successful, interruption to vessel movements was likely to intensify. Industrial action of varying lengths and degrees has already affected normal port operations in the majority of Brazil’s major ports including Santos, Paranagua, Salvador, Manaus, Santarem, Santana and Itacoatiara. Customs officers had originally advised shipping agents that they would stop work for two days a week, and only work at a minimal level on the remaining days until an agreement was reached. Customs’ leaders have now warned that if the negotiations taking place over the next few days are unsuccessful, they will start an undefined strike that will affect the whole country and paralyse Brazi’s ports, airports and bonded warehouses. Importers, including industry which relies on raw materials and parts, are expecting to be particularly badly hit.
Strike action disrupts activity in Brazilian ports
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