Workers across Latin America march for better welfare

Hundreds of thousands of workers, teachers and farmers across Latin America, turned out on Sunday to demand better welfare and working conditions on International Workers' Day.

In Mexico City, thousands of union workers marched on Sunday morning to call for reshaping the structural reforms implemented by President Enrique Pena Nieto and demand better working conditions.

Members of the country's largest unions, including the National Coordination of Education Workers, the National Workers' Union (UNT), and the Mexican Syndicate of Electricians (SME), walked along the famous Paseo de la Reforma all the way to the Zocalo, the city's main square.

In a speech, Enrique Fabela, UNT leader, said May 1 was an opportunity for workers in the countryside and cities to seek to reverse the trend of socio-economic decline.

Ulises Uribe Gaona, a leading activist from the SME, spoke about how the majority of Mexican workers live in fear and frustration due to kidnappings, human rights violation and the criminalization of social protests.

Meanwhile, Pena Nieto held an official function for Workers' Day at his official residence of Los Pinos with politicians, union activists, entrepreneurs and activists.

In an official address, the president said that the government and business owners need to create more attractive working conditions to benefit Mexican families.

In Peru, thousands of workers marched to demand an increase of minimum salaries to 450 U.S. dollars a month (1,500 soles), said Juan Jose Gorriti,a union leader.

Gorriti said that the minimum salary, which will be increased to 260 U.S. dollars (850 soles) from today, is insufficient to cover the high cost of family necessities, including staple food and basic services.

"The basket of needs is at 1,500 soles, we therefore demand that the minimum salary be raised to that level," he told a rally in Lima, capital of Peru.

Bolivian President Evo Morales released seven decrees Sunday to mark the occasion, including a salary increase and a declaration of austerity due to low oil prices.

At a rally at the seat of government in La Paz attended by farmers, oil workers, factory staff, and miners, Morales said that these decrees would seek to improve Bolivia's strengths and solve its problems.

"We want to strengthen the economy. Some decrees are aimed at boosting the domestic market, while others seek to fight smuggling, which causes a lot of harm," said Morales.

The International Workers' Day, sometimes also called Labor Day or May Day, is promoted by the international labor movement and marked on May 1 by the working class in about 90 countries.

Source: XINHUA