Bolivia: Healthcare workers to strike nationwide through at least June 20

Healthcare professionals affiliated with the Interinstitutional Committee for a Dignified Retirement (Comite Interinstitutional por Una Jubilacion Digna) plan to strike across Bolivia into at least June 20; workers launched the action on June 17 for a period of 96 hours. The purpose of the work stoppage is to denounce proposed legislation that medical workers claim would effectively force them into retirement at age 65. Organizers have indicated that they may escalate or lengthen the walk-out if their demands are not met.

Health services will likely be curtailed amid the labor action; nevertheless, medical personnel will continue to provide urgent and emergency care. Although labor leaders have announced no specific plans for such gatherings, strike participants and retirees supporting the action could stage demonstrations as part of the work stoppage. Potential demonstration locations include outside hospitals and Ministry of Health facilities. Authorities will likely deploy a heightened security presence near any such gatherings that materialize. Localized transport disruptions are possible.