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Tarija Business Leaders Criticize Transport Strike, Cite Economic Harm
🇧🇴 Bolivia /Energy & Infrastructure

Tarija Business Leaders Criticize Transport Strike, Cite Economic Harm

From El Deber · (6m ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Business and civic leaders in Tarija, Bolivia, are criticizing a 24-hour strike by the syndicated transport sector, citing significant disruptions to public and economic activities.
  • Protesters are blocking streets and routes, causing inconvenience particularly for residents in peripheral neighborhoods.
  • Critics argue the strike is an ineffective method for resolving sectoral demands and that the government should focus on fulfilling its existing commitments.

The syndicated transport sector's 24-hour strike in Tarija has sparked widespread criticism from business and civic groups, who decry the measure as detrimental to the region's economic and social fabric. The Federation of Private Businessmen of Tarija (FEPT) has firmly rejected the strike, highlighting its direct impact on productive activities. Jesús Gira, president of the Committee for the Interests of Tarija, echoed these sentiments, stating that blockades harm the population and are not a viable solution for sectoral demands.

todo bloqueo es una medida que perjudica a las actividades de la población y no es la forma de buscar una solución a demandas sectoriales.

— Jesús GiraPresident of the Committee for the Interests of Tarija, commenting on the negative impact of the strike and blockades.

Residents from outlying areas are bearing the brunt of the disruptions, facing significant inconvenience due to blocked streets and routes. Legal expert Alexander Kennedy also weighed in, questioning the strike's rationale, especially since many public transport vehicles utilize natural gas and diesel. He further criticized the Bolivian Workers' Confederation (COB) for demanding a salary increase after a 20% raise in January, arguing that only those with fixed incomes benefit, while daily wage earners and those in precarious employment are left behind.

están en desacuerdo con la medida del autotransporte porque tiene impacto directo en el normal desarrollo de las actividades productivas.

— Patricia VargasManager of the Federation of Private Businessmen of Tarija (FEPT), expressing the business sector's opposition to the strike.

The strike's impact has extended to local governance, forcing the Tarija Governorate to postpone the swearing-in of its new cabinet. The business sector is urging the striking transport workers to engage in immediate and effective dialogue to address their demands without further inconveniencing the general public. From our perspective in Tarija, these strikes, while intended to pressure authorities, often inflict more harm than good on the very communities they are meant to serve, highlighting a disconnect in how labor disputes are managed and their broader societal consequences.

Los que vivimos lejos, en barrios periféricos de la ciudad, somos los más perjudicados y no así los que viven en el centro

— una vecinaA resident describing the disproportionate impact of the strike on people living in peripheral neighborhoods.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Deber in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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