Unionists decide on a national blockade due to a lack of dollars in September. They assure that "The bread is made with imported flour"

The National Confederation of Trade unionists Bolivia decided on Monday to implement a national lockdown starting in the first week of September. The extreme measure is due the shortage of dollars and fuel, which harms the activities of merchants throughout the country

The executive secretary of this organization, Jesús Cahuana, confirmed the measure after a expanded sector carried out this Monday, in the city of La Paz.

In addition, the country’s unions announced mobilizations, demanding immediate responses to the dollar shortagethe fuel issue and the rise in basic basket pricesas well as the lack of inputs for other productive sectors. They pointed out that the Government has failed to comply with what was agreed.

The sector will carry out staggered mobilizations in their respective places of origin later on and denounced that they were excluded from the meetings of the Socioeconomic Cabinet, as well as from the meeting with the Private Entrepreneurs.

Cahuana explained that the union members decided on this measure due to the lack of responses from the government in relation to the economic crisis that the country is facing. The measure comes after several failed attempts at dialogue.

The decision is due to a combination of factors, including the shortage of dollars, the increase in fuel prices and the lack of updating of the simplified regime.

“We have been waiting for sectoral meetings, but they have only met with their militants,” Cahuana lamented, pointing out that the authorities have ignored their demands and have not given concrete answers.

Cahuana strongly criticized the statements of some ministers who downplayed the importance of the dollar in the national economy. “Bread is made with imported flour and other products that are bought in dollars“he explained. The union leader stressed that the lack of this currency is directly affecting the family basket.

In addition, rising fuel prices have made transportation more expensive, which in turn has led to an increase in the cost of living.

The union leader confirmed that the call has received support from various sectors, including interprovincial transport, mobile radios, the Medical College, the university, civic committees and neighborhood councilsAll these groups will join together in a joint action to demand concrete solutions from the Government.

“The need is throughout the Bolivian territory“Cahuana said, noting that even those who once supported the government are now siding with the protests.