At the time of writing yesterday evening a deal was expected to be reached to put an end to a strikes from public sector workers in Chile, but it seems a fresh labor relations conflict is in the wings. 

The National Association of Officials of the Agriculture and Livestock Service president Claudio Banda has told www.freshfruitportal.com that regardless of any agreement relating to customs officials, his organization was planning to mobilize in protest next week.

The new tension stems from differences between officials at SAG and the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture.

"We are organizing a halt of services because we haven't asked for a wage adjustment but are discussing a strengthening of fiscal operations," Banda said.

"We will start with a communication offensive and put pressure on the Ministries of Finance and of Agriculture so that they comply with the government program."

He said in 2016 the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) had a reduction in its annual budget because of a state deficit. Banda said this led to serious consequences for the service, given this year a campaign against fruit fly took place which wasn't included in the government's budget.

Therefore, SAG itself had to fund the campaign.

"The government told us at the time that we'd have to use our own resources for the campaign and they would later pay us back," Banda said.

"Historically this has been covered but this year it wasn't like that, so with the same amount of money we had to do everything, including the campaign. These types of situations weaken the fiscal function."

www.freshfruitportal.com