Specifically, they made reference to the installation of Argentinian companies, which already have a strong presence in the border between both countries, and the environmental damage they cause.

Richard Pacheco, one of the promoters of the creation of the dairy farmers union, worked until a few months ago in Argentinian soy company El Tejar.

In July, 2008, Oscar Alvarado, from Argentina, and president of El Tejar, was interviewed by Uruguayan radio station El Espectador. Then, the businessman said: “The Uruguayan people are amazing, and the institutional sphere is very stable, which provides a framework of certainty which makes it extremely attractive to come and work in Uruguay”.

The opinion of the workers about the expansion of soy is quite different. “Soy arrived over two years ago to this area, and people from Argentina have taken over practically all Florida. They work with toxic products and they are a threat to the environment”, Pacheco stated.

In addition, according to Pacheco, the working conditions are far from good, and the workers are exposed to serious health risks. “They are buying products that are no longer used in other countries. Only here”, he said.

In his opinion, another problem is that the people of the rural area are afraid of promoting unions, and this is why there are so many expectations regarding this new rural workers union. The main reason behind the attempts to consolidate this union is the claim to enforce the eight hour law, which was passed by the Uruguayan parliament in December.

Photo: http://mercopress.com