[Note: The union and employer have reached an agreement since this report was published.]
Peru installed soldiers at Callao to move cargo during the dockworkers' strike. The military's poor performance created a backlog of ships that took several days to clear.
On 19 January 2011, following employers’ failure to negotiate, port workers of Callao had no other alternative than to protest and down tools to demand compliance with the legal ruling granting them the right to freedom of association.
On 20 January 2011 the army and police were called in to break the strike and workers were harassed and detained.
Paddy Crumlin, International Transport Workers’ Federation president and dockers chair has joined the world outcry over the labour rights violations which include military personnel and police strikebreakers, some dressed as civilians, harassing and detaining dock workers.
“This use of military or para military against dock workers failed in Australia in 1998 when ITF workers of the world showed their solidarity and it will fail in Peru We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of Sutramporpc” said Paddy Crumlin who is also National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia.