Argentine Oilseed Workers Resume Work After Promised Payment of Overdue Wages

Argentine oilseed workers have ended their strike and returned to work at soybean processing plants owned by the conglomerate Vicentin after the company scheduled payments for overdue wages, according to the union SOEA.

The strike began last week at Vicentin's plants, temporarily disrupting soybean processing in Argentina, the world's largest exporter of soybean oil and meal.

On Wednesday, workers received 75% of their owed wages from February, with the remaining 25% scheduled for payment next Wednesday, SOEA Secretary Martin Morales reported.

"We are willing to work as long as we get paid. We want to move forward," Morales stated, acknowledging the challenges facing Vicentin.

The company has been in bankruptcy proceedings since 2020 after defaulting on over $1 billion in payments. Workers demanded their full salary for last month after Vicentin paid only a fraction of what was owed, citing a "critical financial situation."

Morales also mentioned that on Wednesday, SOEA plans to meet with representatives from the grains processors and exporters' chamber CIARA-CEC to continue discussions on wage increases for soybean processing workers nationwide.