Worker Killed In Peru As New President Faces Labor Unrest
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published December 04, 2020 | 10:10 AM
Lima, Dec 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Dec, 2020 ) :Police in Peru opened fire Thursday on farm workers blocking a major highway to demand wage increases, killing one in the first labor dispute confronting the country's new president, a union official said.
"Police came storming in to shoot. It was an act of violence," said labor leader Walter Campos. He described the victim as a 19-year-old worker who was shot in the head.
President Francisco Sagasti, who took power just two weeks ago amid an acute political crisis, confirmed the death and called it a tragedy.
He vowed a probe of the events in the town of Viru where workers were blocking the Panamerican Highway, the country's main motorway, which runs north-south through all of Peru.
Farm and factory workers in Viru on Thursday joined a strike and road blockades that were launched Monday in another region of Peru. They have cut off several stretches of the highway with branches, stones and burning tires.
The health ministry reported 44 people hurt in clashes Thursday in the two areas.
The workers want wage increases and the scrapping of an agricultural law they say limits their rights and income.
The law sets daily farm wages at $11 but does not specify a limit to the workday -- just a minimum of four hours.
The strikers want at least $18 a day and other benefits.
Sagasti took over in the culmination of a crisis in which Peru had three presidents in one week.
It started when then-president Martin Vizcarra was impeached by Congress early last month on charges of corruption.
He was popular and Peruvians were infuriated, taking to the streets in protest against the interim president, Manuel Merino. He resigned a few days later amid an uproar over a deadly police crackdown on those protests.
Congress then chose Sagasti to be president.
Recent Stories
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
Faisal Karim Kundi takes oath as new KP Governor
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Chaudhry seeks more vibrant ..
Tahaffuz Manzil Foster Home providing care & support to homeless children
PCB proposes April 7 -May 20 window; tweaks in rules for HBL PSL 2025
Field hospitals now operational across Punjab: Azma Bukhari
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
13 hours ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
2 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
4 days ago -
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
4 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
6 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
7 days ago
-
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
7 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
7 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
9 days ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
9 days ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
11 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
13 days ago