Stevedores Complain About Tuna Transported In Open Trucksff

The strain within the community of the Spanish Port of Vilagarcia keeps on increasing. Harbor workers reiterated how critical their working situation is. Since the beginning of this year, work has continued at minimum levels, because tuna shipments are diverted to other closeby ports which have lower labor rates.  Port stevedores also accused the Port of Barbaza and the local fishing companies of regularly receiving tuna transported by truck to the harbor and which do not meet the proper health regulations.

”Tuna arrives in open trucks, instead of loaded in freezers as required by law” said the representative of the Stevedores Association.

According to port workers, about 20 large trucks recently unloaded their product at the local Freezing Center (CEFRICO). The fish that was unloaded was also transported by truck given there are no vessels yet moored at the docks nor sailing even near this area. “Therefore”, said the delegate of the Stevedores Association, “we have broken our relationship with the Port Authorities.”

The ex-president of the Port Authority of Villagarcia left an open issue when trying to figure out how necessary it was for the Port of Ribeira and the Port of A Pobra to have their own Inspection Frontier Point where the health inspections on food from third countries could take place. This is a main concern for the stevedores at this moment.

According to the report on this case, all the controls at the Barbanza Ports are branch agency belonging to the Vilagarcia Port. Therefore, stevedores question why the Port Authority of Riberita and A Pobra are operating under Vilagarcia Port jurisdiction however workers are not obtaining the same salaries and working conditions.

Source: Spanish Press