Chilean port workers staged protests on Thursday, disrupting the loading and unloading of ships in one of the largest exporters of raw materials, including copper, lithium, pulp, and fruit.
Members of the UPC and FTPC unions initiated a planned 24-hour strike around 8 a.m. local time, leading to the suspension of activities at the Ventanas port.
Television footage showed workers blocking roads near the major port of Valparaiso, while protests by stevedores were reported in Talcahuano.
The unions are pressing authorities to address various grievances, including safety concerns and recent layoffs at coal-handling facilities due to the transition away from thermal power.
While the strike was announced earlier in the week and workers are expected to resume activities on Friday, it serves as a warning, with potential for further protests.
Major copper producers such as BHP Group, Codelco, and Anglo American Plc have not yet commented on the impact of the disruptions.
