More challenges for Itajai

There are 54 tally clerks in Itajai and they are deployed by APMTI through the local OGMO – a body that distributes casual labour to terminal operators throughout Brazil. APMT Itajai wants to dispense with the casual labour system and employ 24 of the tally clerks on a full-time basis with monthly salaries that are very competitive with those prevailing in the Brazilian Port environment.

Full time employment of casual labour by a port operator is legal and the tally clerks recognise this. However, the clerks want to continue with the same system as before with all 54 of their members being deployed. They argue that if APMTI only employs 24 clerks full time, how will the remaining 30 earn a living, considering that currently APMTI is the sole operator in the port? Interestingly, Portonave on the other side of the Itajai-Acu river is issuing a request for more labour; however it appears that its salary conditions do not appeal to the APMTI workforce.

The clerks are also claiming a 15% pay increase plus another 7% inflation increase which has been stalemated for some time. In addition, they are also seeking additional payment for night time and for working in the rain.