Fresh clash between police, protesting workers in Peru
Police officers in the Peruvian capital, Lima, have once again clashed with public workers protesting poor work conditions and demanding better salaries for the fifth straight day.
The Friday protest turned violent when Peruvian riot police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of striking public workers. The protesters also fought back as they marched on congress building, filling three lanes along the landmark Abancay Avenue in the center of the capital.
Similar clashes earlier this month left three people dead and many others injured.
Last week, public workers from health, judicial and education sectors called an indefinite strike to demand safer work conditions and larger salaries for state employees.
Healthcare unions were especially angry over the government’s recent announcement of cuts to the sector’s 2016 budget, arguing that their salaries already do not cover their basic necessities.
“Living costs have risen too high, we cannot afford things anymore. We are paid 750 soles (222 US dollars) but all have to eat. We in the health sector have to eat and sleep well, because we can be contaminated by people with tuberculosis and Hepatitis B,” said Leonarda Bellocastro, a nurse from Lima.
Some unionists organizing the strikes have been complaining that their work income has not risen in 20 years.
The General Confederation of Peruvian Workers and the Unified National Federation of Health Sector Workers (FENUTSSA) is the leading union taking part in the ongoing demonstrations.
“Today we are in the fifth day of an indefinite strike of workers across the whole (health) sector and the whole country. We have made our demands to congress, to a congressional plenary for our demands to be attended to,” said FENUTSSA National Secretary Adan Vilca.
Unions have promised to continue their strikes until the government gives in to their demands.
Officials in Lima condemned such strikes, arguing that they affected thousands of people across the country, including hospital patients.
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