Negotiations with striking agricultural workers in Colombia to begin

Waiting

Protests against the Columbian governments agricultural policies reach their ninth day as the strike for agricultural workers continue.

After days of violent protests, President Juan Manuel Santos has agreed to enter negotiations with agricultural workers.

Protesters are concerned that the government’s agricultural trade agreements with  the USA and the EU will benefit big farms and multinationals, effectively wiping away small-scale farmers with costs.

The agreement is not without limitations. Currently eleven major roads are blocked by the protesters. According to BBC News, the government said they would begin negotiations once the road blocks are removed.

The Columbian president has said his ministers will focus on means to reduce new pressures on small-scale farmers, such as  loans to keep up with the rising prices of farming costs.

Fifteen thousand people march in Tunja Tuesday to support these farmers. A smaller protest in solidarity was also held in Montreal on Tuesday.

Flickr Photo by: adrimcm

STORY WRITTEN BY: HANNAH BESSEAU