Three thousand employees of petroleum company Pacific Rubiales joined the strike in the Rubiales field, which is one of the company’s most important areas of exploration and production, Colombian media reported Tuesday.
Sixteen protesters are allegedly injured and another 11 detained by police.
Failed negotiations between the company and laborers has resulted in 29 days of riots and protests. The petroleum company hired temporary workers for the time being.
Demands for better food, shelter, opportunities, and pay have been made by Pacific Rubiales laborers, but an agreement is yet to be established between the conflicting parties.
The president of the Colombian Trade Union (CUT) in Meta, Timothy Romero, said that after a month “there are thousands of workers” unemployed for differences and disagreements with the company Pacific Rubiales.
“On Monday there was a meeting in the vice president of the Republic, there was preliminary agreement at 8PM, but new workers went on strike in Upia Canyon and Crystal,” said trade union leader.
According to news source Terra, a total of 5,000 workers are unemployed Pacific Rubiales.
“They are in a pitched battle after the breakdown of negotiations between riot police and 5,000 employees,” stated Romero.