The salmon industry in Chile is going through uncertain times. According to various national media reports, the Multisyndical Salmon Workers' Union is concerned about the draft of the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service ACT (SBAP), which could affect 60% of the salmon industry facilities in the southern zone.
A total of 70,000 direct and indirect jobs could be wiped out by the SBAP bill in the areas of n Los Lagos, Aysén, and Magallanes. As a result, it is estimated that it would affect more than half of the salmon industry facilities.
"We do not agree with the government's proposal to modify Article 158 of the General Law of Fishing and Aquaculture. It is openly discriminatory for our sources of work, for our families, for the future of our children, besides limiting and closing the only alternatives for our sources of labor to have a future operation", explained Alejandro Santibáñez, president of the Multisindical, in a public statement published by Soy Chile.
The Chilean media explained that the Multisyndical is coordinating with different sectors. From representatives of maritime, land, port, and trade transport and does not rule out mobilizations.
In this context, the slogan #SoyDelSurSalmonero (I am from the south, I am a salmon farmer) has been created. This war cry calls for a march this Friday 26th, at 10:00 local time. The strike started at the Puerto Montt square to the Governor's Office to defend the national industry.
