MTPE Forms Working Group to Modernize Port Labor Law

The Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion (MTPE) agreed with representatives of the National Federation of Maritime and Port Workers of Peru (FEMAPOR) to promote the formation of a working group to review labor issues in the sector and promote the update of the Port Labor Law.

The agreement was reached during a meeting led by the Deputy Minister of Labor, Tomás Alejandro Flores Noriega, who stated that the MTPE seeks to strengthen social dialogue among the State, workers, and actors linked to the port system.

The official explained that the work agenda will be aimed at strengthening the protection of labor rights and modernizing the regulatory framework of the sector.

"Through the General Directorate of Labor, the formation of the working group will be coordinated, and an agenda will be developed to identify and prioritize the main problems faced by port workers throughout the country. It is necessary to work quickly on a transition agenda that identifies the main problems affecting port workers, not only in Lima and Callao but also in other ports of 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," affirmed Flores Noriega.

For her part, the Director General of Labor, Cecilia García, maintained that the problems in the sector require articulated work among various State entities to achieve a regulatory update in line with the port labor reality.

She also indicated that the MTPE is reviewing the technical file and coordinating the formation of the working group that will channel the sector's proposals. She added that coordination is also being carried out with the technical team of the National Council of Labor and Employment Promotion (CNTPE) to submit the proposal to the new Congress.

The general secretary of FEMAPOR, Milton Mendiguri Padilla, highlighted the openness to dialogue shown by the MTPE and expressed his expectation that the commitments made will materialize in the short term.

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

The leader indicated 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of a tripartite working group to evaluate and propose modifications to the Port Labor Law, which they consider outdated given the current conditions of the sector.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.