In Colombia, 30 community mothers are on hunger strike in front of “Catedral Primada de Bogota” (Bogota’s First Catedral) demanding full labor rights. Some of them are 80 years old.
International Labour Network Of Solidarity And Struggles
Community mothers are responsible for a wide childcare system in Colombia. Their homes are the places where working class women may leave their children in order to go to work. They also play a critical role in providing food for poor children.
There are 79 thousand community mothers in Colombia. Each one takes care of up to 14 children. Colombian authorities have never recognized them as workers. On the opposite, they consider them volunteers.
Nevertheless two national stoppages in 2013 and 2016 have led the Supreme Court to recognize their pension rights.
Unfortunately the same Supreme Court is demanding them to pay the costs for their pension rights themselves. It means something around 15 million “pesos” (around 5 thousand American dollars) each. The community mothers cannot afford that. That is why they are on hunger strike.
On top of full pension rights, they are demanding funding to feed the children under their care.
Colombia: Community Mothers On Hunger Strike
