Strikers Caused Road Delays

Thousands of Honduran workers marched Wednesday in major Honduras cities to demand an increase in the minimum wage and show solidarity with teachers who want the government to pay more than $200 million in contributions to a pension and benefits fund, past-due from the government of Manual Zelaya.

The minimum wage, currently 5,500 lempiras ($290) a month, was supposed to go up in April, but the hike was put off due to to negotiation breakdowns with the CUTH labor federation. CUTH is calling for a 30 percent increase, but Honduran unions say they are prepared to negotiate with the government on the exact figure.

Besides pressing the issue of the minimum wage, Wednesday’s protest was meant to spur President Porfirio Lobo’s government to reinstate workers fired by the National Autonomous University.

Joining CUTH members for the march in Tegucigalpa were elements of the National Popular Resistance Front, a group formed after the June 2009 ouster of ex-President Mel Zelaya.

A leader of the resistance front, Juan Barahona, and CUTH chief, Israel Salinas, said Wednesday’s protests were part of a growing movement toward a national general strike against the government of Pepe Lobo.


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