Angry workers take to the streets in Colombia

World Today

Colombian farmers, students, workers, and truck drivers went on a day-long strike to protest the government’s policies. Thousands of people called for resistance.

CCTV correspondent Michelle Begue has more on their issues from Bogota.

The issues include workers unions protesting low salary wages, mass inequality blamed for the deaths of indigenous children from malnutrition, citizens calling for the end of the armed conflict, and activists calling for the government to put a stop to the privatization of Colombian companies.

For 24 hours, Colombians of all backgrounds took to the streets as part of a national strike. Local media reports said it’s the first time in six years that all three major Colombian unions have united with the Agrarian movements, truckers unions and retiree organizations, to put together a massive march.

President Juan Manuel Santos has given no response to the national strike. Labor unions participating said further action will be taken if the government doesn’t listen to their demands.