Bolivia to face third national strike in June

Bolivia is braced for its third national strike this month as the Andean country's unions step up protests against the closure of state companies.

The Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) union federation, which staged two nationwide stoppages last week, called for a 72-hour national strike from June 29-July 1, COB leader Guido Mitma said. The federation is seeking talks with President Evo Morales on the closure of state businesses such as textile firm Enatex, which fired 1,000 workers earlier this year, he said.

"The Central Obrera Boliviana will continue in the struggle while the government does not heed us," Mitma said in broadcast comments. "We're open to dialogue, but this time at a high level, if there's the political will to solve the COB's legitimate demands."

Bolivia's mining and metallurgical union federation FSTMB backed COB's demands but said it would not join the strike. The country's mining industry, a major producer of zinc, tin and silver, has been hit by slumping metals prices.

"Shutting down a plant isn't like turning out the light," FSTMB general secretary Orlando Gutiérrez said in a press conference. "There's a cost involved in restarting operations."

Morales, who also faced massive nationwide protests and roadblocks at the start of the month, said the majority of Enatex workers had received severance pay. His government has also shut the Karachipampa zinc smelter, the El Mutún (ESM) iron-steel project and state postal service Ecobol in the past six months.

"It's an illegal strike that isn't justified as being something national or structural. I have offered to solve this issue," state news agency ABI cited Morales as saying. "Companies must be sustainable. There is a period of investment, but afterwards they must manage on their own."

ESM president Jesús Lara requested the government inject 4mn bolivianos (US$560,000) in El Mutún to be able to restart operations, halted since August 2015, according to ABI.

State tin miner Empresa Minera Huanuni, meanwhile, is requesting a US$15mn loan from the government to be able to pension off 1,000 workers, according to its union. The lay-offs would reduce the company's payroll to 2,500, according to union leader Eddy Calle.

Private investment has dwindled in Bolivia since Morales, who lost a bid to extend his decade-long rule in February, seized mining operations from companies including Glencore, South American Silver and Jindal Steel. Bolivia's mining exports dropped 14.7% to US$1.74bn last year.