Blockade in Chinatown: protests in Ica did not harm the food supply

A group of protesters took over a section of the Panamericana Sur near Barrio Chino, in Ica, for a few hours, in protest against an alleged elimination of the Beta bonus, which is equivalent to 30% of the Minimum Living Remuneration (RMV).

The mobilization, called this Sunday night by the United Agrarian Workers of Peru (Tuagrap) in the district of Salas Guadalupe, also had as its motive the increase in the basic family basket, better working conditions – especially in the agro-export sector – and advance of elections.

The Association of Agricultural Producers Guilds of Peru (AGAP) rejected in a statement that the unions dedicated to agro-exports have proposed the elimination of the Beta bonus for economic reactivation.

However, in the last few hours Congress and the Executive supported a new reduction in contributions to EsSalud from agro-exporters, which would go from 8% to 6% (it should soon be approved to 9%, as occurs in other activities). The State will assume that difference.

For its part, the Ica Chamber of Commerce assured that it is a faction that arrived from the north of the country with a view to the march on December 7, one year after the government of Dina Boluarte. Finding no support among the locals, the visitors decided to take the road.

Conveagro ruled out that there has been any drop in the production of Ica, which is currently in the middle of the table grape campaign. Nor were any major incidents reported for the transportation of food to the capital.

For now, the PNP has arranged a strong emergency police contingent to avoid any other type of stoppage, like the one that occurred last January.

Precisely, 7 of the leaders who participated in the protests in Ica after the change of command were released in November, after being held since January 29 in the Cristo Rey de Cachiche prison.