MTPE and FEMAPOR Agree on Working Group to Modernize Port Labor Law

With the aim of addressing the labor issues affecting the port sector, the Vice Minister of Labor of the Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion (MTPE), Tomás Alejandro Flores Noriega, held a meeting with representatives of the National Federation of Maritime and Port Workers of Peru (FEMAPOR), where it was agreed to promote the formation of a working group to review the sector's situation and promote the updating of the Port Labor Law.

During the meeting, the Vice Minister expressed that the MTPE seeks to promote social dialogue among the State, workers, and actors linked to the port system, with the objective of fostering a consensual agenda that contributes to strengthening the protection of labor rights and the modernization of the sector's regulatory framework.

"Through the General Directorate of Labor, coordination will be made for the formation of the working group, and an agenda will be developed to identify and prioritize the main problems faced by port workers nationwide. It is necessary to work quickly on developing a transition agenda that identifies the main problems affecting port workers, not only in Lima and Callao but also in other ports across the country. It is urgent and a priority to incorporate this issue into the national agenda. Our role will be to guide this work agenda," stated Flores Noriega.

The General Director of Labor, Cecilia García, noted that the sector's issues require articulated work among various state entities to achieve regulatory updates in line with the port labor reality.

She indicated that the MTPE is reviewing the technical file and coordinating the formation of the working group that will allow channeling the sector's proposals. She also reported that coordinations are being made with the technical team of the National Council of Labor and Employment Promotion (CNTPE) to submit the proposal to the new Congress.

For his part, the General Secretary of FEMAPOR, Milton Mendiguri Padilla, welcomed the openness to dialogue demonstrated by the MTPE and expressed his confidence that the commitments made during the meeting would materialize in the short term.

"We have been heard, and we leave reassured by the commitment made by the authorities. Now we await the issuance of the ministerial resolution that will formalize the formation of the working group," he stated.

The leader explained that one of the main demands of the union is the establishment of a tripartite working group to evaluate and propose modifications to the Port Labor Law, which they consider outdated given the current conditions of the sector.

Finally, FEMAPOR representatives requested that the State grant official recognition to port workers for their contribution to the country's economic development.