Public employees halt work in protest for salary raise

SANTIAGO.- Public employees began a halt of activities at 08:00 AM today, which will continue throughout the day, in demand of salary raise for the sector.

The president of the National Association of Public Employees (ANEF), Raúl de la Puente, gave a preliminary glimpse of the movement, stating that support has reached 90% and indicating that some municipal workers have also joined the strike.

The public workers, who are requesting a 12% salary raise from the Executive Council, are hoping to call on 450 thousand workers throughout the country.

The strike affects all public services, including Legal Medical Service, public schools, public health centers, and the Civil Registry, which is where the largest amount of disruption to users has been reported.

Even at the Santiago office, many people, unaware of the strike, have gathered and ended up having to leave the area, annoyed and unable to complete their transactions.

* Advise: This translation is responsability of Instituto Chileno Norteamericano.