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The Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO, from its Spanish acronym) planned to send inspectors beginning Tuesday morning to deter businesses from inflating prices under the pretext of the longshoremen’s strike initiated at multiple U.S. ports, according to Rep. José Aponte Hernández.
“I had a conversation with the Acting Secretary of DACO regarding dispatching inspectors to establishments to ensure there are no unwarranted price hikes related to the potential strike,” Aponte mentioned in a written release.
Longshoremen commenced their strike at several East and Gulf ports just after midnight on Tuesday morning after their requests were not fulfilled (refer to related story on page 7). The strike led by the International Longshoremen’s Association could influence the port of Jacksonville, Florida, which processes 80% of the goods shipped to Puerto Rico.
Joel Pizá Batiz, Executive Director of the Ports Authority, stated that Jacksonville’s operations for Puerto Rico will remain unaffected directly and that the island has sufficient supplies for several weeks ahead.
Aponte encouraged consumers to report any instances of misconduct to DACO.
