Public workers strike in Venezuela

Tens of thousands of public employees in Venezuela began a four-day national general strike on November 19 to demand payment of a 25% salary increase and transportation and food subsidies decreed by the government for public employees last April. The subsidies were supposed to be paid on November 15, and the government is blaming Congress for the delay.

Spokespeople from the Unitary Federation of Public Employees said that 98% of the public employees were taking part in the strike. Public employees in Venezuela earn monthly salaries that range from about US$98 to US$277; the cost of feeding a family of five is calculated at around $258.

A number of public employees banged on pots and pans and used other noisemakers in a lively demonstration in front of the Finance Ministry in Caracas on November 22, while others maintained their occupations of public buildings in the capital. Demonstrations were also held in the other state capitals.

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