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Uruguayan Maritime Sector Faces 'Extinction' Due to State Neglect, Unions Claim
🇺🇾 Uruguay /Economy & Trade

Uruguayan Maritime Sector Faces 'Extinction' Due to State Neglect, Unions Claim

From El País · (3d ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Uruguayan maritime unions are protesting the "abandonment" of the sector by the state, citing a loss of jobs for national workers.
  • They argue that current regulations, dating back to 1954, favor foreign vessels and crews, leading to unemployment for young Uruguayans.
  • Unions are calling for updated legislation to prioritize national crews on vessels operating in national waters, citing examples from Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.

The maritime sector in Uruguay, a crucial component of the nation's economy, is facing a crisis, according to leaders of the Intergremial Marítima. They have presented a stark picture to Parliament, denouncing what they describe as state "abandonment" and a regulatory framework that actively disadvantages Uruguayan workers. The core of their complaint lies in the current laws, originating from 1954, which they argue permit foreign-flagged vessels and crews to operate in national waters, thereby displacing local talent and hindering job creation for Uruguayans.

Today, the maritime sphere is abandoned by the State.

— Facundo MontañaDirector of the Intergremial Marítima, expressing the sector's grievances to Parliament.

Union representatives highlighted specific issues, such as the extensive use of "weivers"—provisional permits for foreign crews and vessels—which they claim have led to a significant loss of jobs, particularly for young people entering the maritime field. This situation, they contend, forces young Uruguayans into unrelated sectors or unemployment, undermining the investment made in maritime education and training within the country. The unions are drawing comparisons with neighboring countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, where national crew participation is significantly higher, underscoring Uruguay's lagging position.

Today, there are ships working in national cabotage, with foreign flags and crews for more than five years, and therefore they do not generate any jobs.

— Facundo MontañaDenouncing the impact of foreign vessels on Uruguayan employment.

The Intergremial Marítima, comprising key unions like Suntma, CMN, and Suddeppu, is advocating for urgent legislative reform. Their plea is for regulations that prioritize national crews, ensuring that Uruguayan maritime schools produce graduates who can find meaningful employment within their own country. The call for updated rules aims to rectify what they perceive as a "semislave" labor situation and to revitalize a sector they believe is "on the verge of extinction" without state intervention and a modernized legal framework.

The national merchant marine activity is – using a clear expression but not intended to be catastrophic – on the verge of extinction.

— Pablo PirezSecretary General of the Merchant Sector of Suntma, describing the dire state of the industry.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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