Outrage at 'Slavery' in Bolivia
A senior UN official recently described as “unacceptable” the alleged forced labour of indigenous people by landowners in Bolivia. The BBC’s Andres Schipani reports on the contentious issue of “slavery” from the eastern province of Santa Cruz….
Over the past two years, Bolivia’s government and several indigenous groups, have been giving a controversial name to Teresa’s type of existence - slavery.
They and some international organisations say conditions are still akin to bonded labour, making these peasants the de facto property of rich landowners in one of South America’s poorest countries.
Accusations of forced labour have circulated for decades, with little result….
The system hinges on the creation of debt that people have little chance of paying off. Workers are given cash and food, which is then docked from the average daily wage of $2 (£1.30)…..
Evo Morales’ victory in the presidential elections more than three years ago offered the prospect of change for Bolivia’s indigenous people.
And that prospect came closer in January, when he succeeded in changing the constitution that gives sweeping rights to Bolivia’s 36 indigenous groups in the areas of government, the judiciary and landholdings.
It also allows agrarian land reform to take place by limiting the size of rural landholdings in future sales. Supporters say the new constitution will help roll back 500 years of submission of indigenous peoples…. (more @ BBC News)
