Thirty docking companies in Colombia’s Pacific port of Buenaventura were fined over $170,000 by the Ministry of Labor for violating workers’ rights, Colombian media reported Friday.
An inspection found that the companies had violated labor standards as well as the Rules of Professional Risks and Occupational Health.
According to the investigations, port companies had temporary workers carrying out the same activities for seven, eight, or nine years, and had broken rules regarding excessive overtime, the non-provision of benefits packages, and not having authorization for additional working hours.
The Vice-Minister of Labor David Luna said that, since January, 157 visits were made which led to 148 investigations being opened, and 30 financial penalties being given.
Investigations are also being carried out at the Caribbean ports of Cartagena and Turbo, and at Puerto Wilches in the Magdalena river.