Colombian farmers, government workers join teachers in organ

By CGTN’s Michelle Begue

Government employees and farmers in Colombia recently joined teachers in a nationwide strike that began on May 12.

Rice farmers, who say the high cost of farming supplies, such as fertilizer, are bringing down revenue, traveled three hours to Bogota to join government employees and hundreds of thousands of teachers, who are calling for higher salaries and more investment in education.

Organizers said they expected 1.25 million state workers to strike throughout Tuesday and Wednesday. Government workers are asking for an 8.75 percent salary hike and better working conditions.

The strikes are taking place in at least five Colombian cities, with protesters aiming to disrupt transportation and daily life to bring attention to their cause.

Colombia’s President, Juan Manuel Santos, held a meeting on Tuesday morning with his Ministers to discuss the strikes and the state of negotiations, which by all accounts are at a stalemate. Santos has said there is simply no money to meet the teachers’ demands.