Chilean Organizations Support General Strike in Bolivia Against Supreme Decree No. 5503

Original article: Organizaciones chilenas respaldan huelga general en Bolivia contra Decreto Supremo N° 5503

On Tuesday, December 30, the Classist Central Workers’ Union, in coordination with the Autonomous Central Workers’ Union of Chile (CAT), along with various labor and popular organizations, expressed their support for the General Strike called in Bolivia starting December 21 by the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB) and the six Federations of the Tropics, in opposition to the Supreme Decree No. 5503, which has spurred widespread social mobilizations in the neighboring country.

The organizations highlighted their concerns regarding the economic policies promoted by President Rodrigo Paz, which they described as discriminatory and regressive, as they directly impact the most vulnerable and impoverished sectors of Bolivia’s working class, who are already struggling with insufficient wages and precarious living conditions.

From Chile, the Classist Central and CAT reiterated their internationalist solidarity with the Bolivian people, supporting the call for a General Strike organized by the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB) and the six Federations of the Tropics, who demand the immediate repeal of Supreme Decree No. 5503.

In this regard, the labor organizations expressed their rejection of any form of military or police repression against mobilized workers, reminding that the historic struggle of the working class has been built in opposition to abuse, injustice, and the loss of rights.

Finally, the signing organizations made a responsible call to the Government of Bolivia to revoke Supreme Decree No. 5503 as a fundamental requirement to move towards dignity, social justice, and respect for the rights of the working class.

They also urged the opening of a dialogue with representatives of the labor sector in the neighboring country, aiming to seek a solution that benefits the Bolivian people, whose quality of life, they warned, has been immediately affected by the implementation of this measure.