Teachers rally in Peru, clash with police

This file image shows members of Peru’s teachers union clashing with police during a national strike to demand a salary increase and better working conditions, in Lima, Peru, on August 24, 2017. (By Reuters)

Clashes have broken out between Peruvian police and striking teachers rallying to protest their working conditions.

Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters, who were marching on the streets of the capital, Lima, on Friday.

The angry demonstrators, who have been on strike for the past 80 days, demanded higher wages and requested the government of President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski to dedicate more funds to the education sector.

This file photo shows members of Peru’s teachers union protesting to demand respect for labor rights, in Lima, Peru, on August 24, 2017. (By Reuters)

Some 70 percent of teachers in nine regions of the country have skipped classes to press their demands, according to local media.

The striking teachers are also opposed to government-proposed education reforms, which they say will limit workers’ rights.

Teachers in strike for more than two months march to demand better salaries and working conditions, in Lima, August 24, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

The education system is largely crippled as a result of the strike by the teachers in Peru.

Last month, Kuczynski urged teachers to return to the classrooms even as he admitted that they had not had a significant salary increase in more than a decade. He, however, said that his government had given them a raise and there would be another one due to be received by teachers at the end of the year.

He said the minimum payment would increase by 30 percent to 2,000 Peruvian sols (617 dollars) per month.

But teachers say they won’t stop protesting until their demands are met.