URUGUAYAN workers are set to walk out on June 17 as the country’s Trade Union Confederation called a 24-hour general strike demanding emergency measures to tackle growing hunger and inequality.

“Uruguay suffers a crisis that is hitting the weakest sectors of society while the country’s bank deposits abroad are worth $4 billion (£2.8bn),” general secretary Fernando Pereira said.

Some 35,000 children have malnutrition problems and at least 60,000 jobs have been lost in the South American country since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last March.

But the right-wing government has rejected appeals for an emergency salary to mitigate the impact of coronavirus and has refused to invest in public services, despite having huge cash reserves in overseas accounts.

Mr Pereira confirmed that the strike will cover all sectors except health services, including those administering Covid-19 vaccinations.

But he said that the working class was displaying anger and “real discontent” over the failures of the government of President Luis Lacalle Pou.

The strike will also express solidarity with 16 teachers who were sacked in February for protesting against constitutional reforms proposed by the National Party.