Governor of Santa Cruz, Daniel Peralta (L) and the minister Rafael Gilmartin analysed the situation of the firm Vieira. (Photo: santacruz.gov.ar)

Concerns in Spain about attempts to expropriate Vieira

ARGENTINA
Monday, August 13, 2012, 23:30 (GMT + 9)

The Government of Santa Cruz will send a bill proposing the expropriation of the plant of Vieira SA this week to the Legislature, and then transfer it to another domestic company that will respect the dependency ratio scheme.

The news was announced by the Minister of Production from Santa Cruz, Rafael Gilmartin, after a meeting with Minister of Economy of Santa Cruz, Luis Arce Catacora; the Minister of Government, Paola Knoop; the Secretary General of the Food Industry Workers’ Union (STIA), Victor Aguilar; the mayor of Puerto Deseado, Luis Ampuero; and other political representatives in the province.

"The fact we are facing in the fishing industry concerns us to a great extent, especially the case of the company Vieira, which we know that is preparing the bankruptcy meeting," explained the minister.

Since last week, hundreds of fishing operators for Vieira have taken over the facility to avoid the possible depletion by the firm, which has now been convened in Spain, Tiempo Sur reported.

The ship owner Vieira from Vigo has seven boats, a factory and other assets in Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz.

Gilmartin commented that the approval of the project can take 15 days.

Meanwhile, it is proposed that employees continue to work because what is produced will be sent to an entrepreneur of Caleta Olivia, who would be paying wages on Friday.

While it is unknown which is the national capital firm that would be responsible for Vieira, rumours say that it would be a company whose main shareholders are the Maritime United Workers Union (SOMU) and STIA.

According to the minister of Santa Cruz, "Vieira’s debt in the province exceeds ARS 25 million (USD 5.4 million)."

"We will use the legal tools enabling us to take state control of the plant and the ships to protect employment status of the entire sector and search for businesspeople who could take over the plant," he said.

"In SOMU, through the delegate Omar Suárez, they have shown interest in taking control and in making the operation as well as local entrepreneurs and others outside the province, who will be assessed by the executive to determine who could offer work continuity," he added.

Meanwhile, the head in charge of the company, Eduardo Vieira, claimed he keeps hopeful he will be able to take forward the subsidiary in Argentina but for now he must "fight with political weapons rather than economic ones."

The initiative "comes at a time when the company is trying to function as usual," the Spanish businessperson added.

In his statements expressed to the newspaper Faro de Vigo, Vieira, who is currently in Argentina, claimed they are "working to stop the expropriation process," which the Argentinean authorities have started on seven ships and on the plant in Puerto Deseado.

The expropriation process was proposed by four deputies from Santa Cruz who belong to the same political party as the president of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Related article:

- Vieirasa to start bankruptcy proceedings

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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