Argentina's fruit producers accept government help and lift blockades
While some fruit unions have yet to agree to the Argentine governmentās proposed awards deal, the Federation of Producers of RĆo Negro y NeuquĆ©n have decided to accept the measures.
The union has now terminated its blockade of roads, but other unions continue to protest, reported local newspaper La MaƱana de NeuquƩn.
During a meeting the union explained the government had delivered a US$10 million assistance rotation fund and had specified price observations.
The newspaper reported that packing unions and rural unions continued their rejection of an offer to increase salaries by 22%, as union UATRE affirmed it had a pact already signed for a 31% rise.
Meanwhile, the Fruit Syndicate, the packing union, has blockaded packing plants and announced it would take deeper measures in its protest. The unionās secretary general RubĆ©n LĆ³pez has called for an emergency meeting today, according to the newspaper.
The NeuquƩn Provincial Government has signed an act of agreement with fruit leaders to redirect funds to the harvest of pears and apples to ensure the collection of both fruits.
āThey are going to stop doing some projects to prioritize the harvest now,ā explained the leader of the producers.
Source: www.freshfruitportal.com