Asuncion, Sep 24 (Prensa Latina) - Paraguayan teachers returned to the streets today across the country to protest against the government and demand payment of debts and equal wages claimed by thousands of educators.
Early morning, the unions began to focus on several points in Asuncion and in several departments, proceeding to stop traffic intermittently in those places, while a central concentration will take place in the Pantheon of Heroes in this capital.
Teachers are demonstrating just 72 hours before the start of the announced general strike that will paralyze the entire education system of the country starting next Thursday.
They are demanding a budget increase from the Minister of Education to allow the payment of minimum wage to 16,000 education workers with lower wages, as well as delays to a similar number of bonuses.
Teachers also rejected a cut of more than $11 million in the education budget for next year, a project already pending legislative approval.
Initial reports noted that in addition to Asuncion, protest actions are taking place in the departments of Concepción, Canindeyú, Caaguazú, Iguazú, Guaira and others, affecting classes at study centers.
The indefinite strike called by the trade union Education Workers Unity of Command, which represents 13 unions, will include more than 30,000 members, according to organizers.
