Business News Americas reported that operations at Venezuelan steelmaker Sidetur, a subsidiary of local steel company Sivensa, have been suspended for 12 days and counting because of a strike at the Puerto Ordaz plant where workers are demanding compensation for health and safety issues.

A Sidetur worker told BNamericas "Inpsasel, Venezuela's labor safety, health and prevention institute, came to the plant and certified that the company is still not meeting safety and hygiene requirements there.”

According to the worker, the situation is further proof that the government needs to take control of the plant.

The worker added “Up to now we haven't received any response, so we're organizing a march in Puerto Ordaz so that they will listen to our demands.”

Employees had previously asked the government to nationalize the plant.

A Sidetur official told BNamericas that the strike is illegal and the company is taking steps to charge those behind it. He told “This is also affecting the supply of products on the domestic market; it's damaging both the company and clients.”

In May 2009 President Hugo Chávez announced the nationalization of briquette makers Venprecar and Orinoco Iron, both subsidiaries of Sivensa, and in February 2010 the national government took over the administration and operations of the units.

Sidetur has six plants located in Caracas, Guarenas, Valencia, Barquisimeto and Puerto Ordaz with total production capacity of 835,000t of semi-finished products, 545,000 tonnes of rolled products and 67,000 tonnes of electro-welded products. The Puerto Ordaz plant is considered the most important factory.

(Sourced from Business News America)