Construction workers at the Port of Rosario in Argentina’s Santa Fe province began a protest on Tuesday, setting up roadblocks to the export terminals, delaying grain shipments from the region. The protests spread on Wednesday to areas north of Rosario. Workers are demanding higher wages from the construction companies that serve agricultural export companies at the port facilities.

On Wednesday morning, Guillermo Wade, manager of the Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities (CAPYM), said, “There are pickets at the entrances to the factories. They have blocked everything, Timbúes, and Puerto General San Martín. All the ports are stopped. They can’t unload or load ships. There is terrible congestion of trucks.”

The provincial government on Wednesday night ordered conciliation to end the shutdown and settle the dispute.

“We have to comply with the order and continue with negotiations, which will take some time,” said Cristian Diaz, an official with the UOCRA union.