15 Oct 2017 | 03:33 PM UTC
Peru: Teacher strike in Cusco region October 20
Teachers to hold 24-strike in Cusco region on October 20 to protest government officials failing to attend negotiations
Event
Teachers affiliated with the Suter Cusco union will hold a 24-hour strike on Friday, October 20, in the Cusco region. The striking teachers may erect roadblocks throughout the region and block rail lines between cities. Marches and related protests may also be held in the city of Cusco.
Context
The strike is reportedly a response to Ministry of Education officials not attending scheduled negotiations on September 14 and 21. Union officials determined that this violated an agreement between union and the Ministry of Education which ended a long series of strikes in August and September.
Numerous teacher strikes have occurred across the country since June, with teachers demanding salary increases, free public education, family death and mourning benefits, and immunity from teacher dismissal and salary deductions in retaliation for striking. Instances of violence have been reported at some protests and the Peruvian Ministry of the Interior has deployed police forces to protect schools, pupils, and teachers returning to work. Furthermore, states of emergency had been declared in areas most-affected by the strikes, such as the Cusco region, which involved highly disruptive blockades.
Advice
Individuals present in Peru are advised to monitor developments to the situation, to avoid all protests as a precaution, and to anticipate transportation disruptions in the vicinity of any demonstrations.
