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Uruguayan workers strike against hunger as coronavirus crisis bites

URUGUAYAN workers staged a 24-hour strike on Thursday against “hunger, inequality and union persecution,” with hundreds of rallies held across the country, including in the capital Montevideo.

The action was called by the Workers Intersindical Plenary and National Convention (PIT-CNT) amid anger over President Luis Lacalle’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and low wages.

“The strike is against hunger, inequality, discrimination and union persecution. It’s a fight for work and wages,” PIT-CNT secretary Marcelo Abdala said.

According to union activist Fernando Pereira, more than 100,000 Uruguayans are living in poverty as a result of the deepening economic crisis and surviving on food from “community pots” in Montevideo and other cities.

Many sectors joined the action, which was also held in solidarity with teachers in the San Jose who have been made redundant district as a result of the pandemic.

The strikers also expressed opposition to Mr Lacalle’s Urgent Consideration Law, which unions warn will drive down wages and lead to the wholesale privatisation of public utilities.

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