Peru has been experiencing worker strikes for most of this year. But now the number and energy behind the strikes are picking up.
Following the trends in Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, and Chile, the flames of discontent have spread to Peru.
Last week, some 100,000 healthcare workers went on strike demanding more pay and more resources for hospitals they claim are understaffed and lack necessary medicines and supplies to effectively treat patients.
Teachers have also called for walkouts to protest more funding of the educational budget and pay raises.
Employees in the judicial system also went on strike, despite threats from the government, which said the walkout was illegal.
So far, the protests mostly have been peaceful.
As noted in previous Trends Journals and Trends in The News podcasts, the situation in Peru began escalating on 30 September after President Martin Vizcarra dissolved the congress, citing pervasive corruption.
Vizcarra made anti-corruption a main initiative, recommending a constitutional referendum that would ban private money from all campaigns.
The congress fought back by declaring Vizcarra be suspended, and they appointed the vice president as interim leader. Yet the following day, the vice president, Mercedes Araoz, resigned.
Vizcarro then called for new elections in January.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: It’s the New World Disorder: Peru, Bolivia, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, Hong Kong, Iraq, Iran, Spain, Sudan, Lebanon, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt … across the globe people are taking to the streets in their fight for freedom and battles against growing disparity between rich and poor, government corruption, violence and crime.
And in this 21st century of communication, with people around the world connected by the Internet, the “contagion” of demonstrations, what they can achieve, and why they are escalating have made more aware than ever the true “power of the people.”
Indeed, “It does not take a majority to prevail… but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” – Samuel Adams