Brazil’s ports braced for possible week of industrial action by customs workers

Audit inspectors of Brazil’s customs service are saying they will go ahead with a planned week of strikes at the country’s ports, continuing disruptions to shippers that began last week.

Last week the customs workers held a two-day strike. They returned to work on Friday but the same day their union membership voted for the new, longer action, set to begin on Monday.

These actions are part of the Sindifisco trade union’s effort to pressure the national government to rethink plans for cutting back pensions and phasing out early retirements.

The union was reserving the option for either a work-to-rule slowdown or a complete walkout.