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Bolivia Protests Enter Third Day Over Agricultural, Education and Labour Demands
Protests in Bolivia reached their third day as the main trade union and transport and education workers demonstrated for policy changes. The actions follow the government's decision to remove a long-standing fuel subsidy, contributing to an ongoing economic crisis. Demonstrations have included street blockades and clashes with police in several cities.
AJ
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Protests in Bolivia entered their third day on Tuesday as three separate groups called for reforms to agricultural, educational and labour policies. The country's main trade union, the Bolivian Workers’ Centre (COB), had called a strike the previous Friday.
That strike coincided with labour reform protests held around the globe to mark International Workers’ Day. The South American nation has been experiencing its largest economic crisis in 40 years, including a shortage of foreign currency. On Tuesday, COB members joined transport and education workers in street demonstrations.
Police fired tear gas at protesters near the presidential palace in La Paz, while public workers in nearby El Alto blocked streets using buses, cars and trucks. Transport workers are seeking compensation for engine damage they attribute to the removal of a decades-old fuel subsidy that had kept petrol prices at 2006 levels.
They say the change forced them to use lower-quality fuel. The workers are also demanding shorter queues at filling stations and road repairs.
The government ended the fuel subsidy as part of efforts to address a budgetary crisis and low foreign currency reserves. A litre of diesel previously cost 3.72 bolivianos under the subsidy and premium petrol 3.74 bolivianos. Without the subsidy those prices rose to 9.80 bolivianos for diesel and 6.96 bolivianos for premium petrol.
The strikes halted public transport in major cities including La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba, Oruro and Sucre. The actions created at least 70 roadway blockages, according to the Bolivia Highway Association. COB has called for an indefinite general strike.
