June 16, 2008

   

Argentine farmers renew strikes  

   
  

Union leaders in Argentina vowed Sunday to continue roadblocks and other protest actions until the government agrees to additional talks about its controversial new grain export tax.

 

"We'll keep going as long as necessary," said Alfredo de Angeli, one leading union activist, speaking to a local radio broadcaster in Buenos Aires in calling for a "serious and transparent dialogue."

 

Argentine farmers' organizations have vowed a newly invigorated phase of the strike over the new export tariffs. Farm industry leaders said the work stoppage, which already has lasted for nearly 100 days, now will continue until Wednesday. Labour leaders also have planned a national day of action that day.

 

"We're keeping the protest alive. We do not want to overturn the government. We want a democratic, federal and republican country," said de Angeli.

 

President Cristina Kirchner's government has pushed ahead with the tax despite protests by the farmers. The tax is set at 44 percent currently, but could go as high as 52 percent if soy goes above US$600 a tonne.

 

The strikes, which began in March, have dealt a heavy blow to the country's economy. The impact has been compounded by roadblocks by farmers and truck drivers, causing food shortages around the country.

 

The strike over a tariff hike for soybean exports was suspended last week after strike leaders accepted a confidential deal with President Cristina Kirchner's government and promised to resume grain and livestock sales on Monday.

 

But activists Sunday warned they would continue the strike because the government still had not committed to opening negotiations.

 

Tensions rose when police tried to clear roadblocks arresting 19 protesters Saturday.

 

News of the arrests drove thousands of protesters to reinforce existing roadblocks while others launched a pot-banging demonstration outside the presidential offices in Buenos Aires.

 

The government late Saturday hardened its stance against the strikers, with Chief of Staff Alberto Fernandez calling the roadblocks illegal.

 

The government earlier this month offered to fix a cap of a little more than 52 percent on the sliding tax scale if the price of soy surpasses US$600 a tonne. But the measures failed to defuse thesituation.

 

Argentina is one of the biggest food producers in the world, leading with exports of soy oil. It is also the second-biggest corn exporter, after the US, and the fifth-biggest wheat exporter.