Article Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/2/peru-farmworkers-lift-roadblock-as-govt-talks-begin
In addition to the various strains placed on Peru’s economy from the pandemic and clashing groups of people, there have been a series of protests revolving around the low pay given to agricultural workers.
The minimum wage for farm workers is around $11 US dollars per day, so workers organized demonstrations in order to bring light to the issue and demand higher pay. One of the demonstrations turned violent when police used various weapons, killing three people, including a 16 year old boy.
The Peruvian government has asserted that the violence was uncalled for and that the police chief in charge of that district had been removed. The government also announced that they would increase the minimum wage by 30%, but no one is happy about that.
This event clearly illustrates the fact that the Peruvian government is on edge do to various internal factors, and is highlighting the type of impact that COVID-19 is having in countries around the world. The pandemic has led to economic stress, increasing tension between different groups (ex: Peruvians and indigenous populations, rich and poor, etc.), and general dissatisfaction with the government as it has proved to be corrupt and incapable of governing properly. These types of issues can be seen throughout the world now more than ever, as the stress from the pandemic leads to unnecessary violence.
The issues that are going on in Peru and to some extent the whole world are a testament to the fact that economic instability exacerbates pretty much any other issues that might be present within a state. Groups that might coexist peacefully in a time of economic growth are quick to turn against each other when there isn’t food on the table. Of course some of these issues need to be fully addressed in order to move forward, but strenghtening the economy and creating a functional government are the first steps towards a peaceful society.