Peru police clash with protesting public workers

Police in the Peruvian capital of Lima have clashed with public workers, protesting poor work conditions and demanding better salaries.  

Riot police used tear gas, a water cannon, and batons to break up crowds of protesters, Reuters reported.

"We are demanding an increase in benefits for all public workers -- CTS (social benefit granted by companies), schools for los CAS (public service contractors) and the permanence of their jobs," head of the Education Workers' Union Bernardo Melendez said.

Healthcare unions have also been protesting against the government’s recent announcement of cuts to the sector’s 2016 budget.

The clashes come one week after Peruvian healthcare workers, joined by judicial staff, called for an indefinite strike.

Similar clashes erupted earlier this month as protesters attempted to march to the congress building in Lima.

Healthcare workers have been holding protests and strikes since last year. They ended a 150-day strike only after reaching agreements with the government.

Peruvian authorities say thousands of patients are affected as administrative personnel in public health facilities are staying away from work.

The latest clashes took place just days after at least three people were killed and a number of others wounded in clashes between police and farmers protesting in the Apurimac area in southern Peru.

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