Colombia’s judicial branch have once again taken to the street of Bogota in search of better pay and conditions, reported local media Tuesday.
A meeting between Colombia’s justice minister and negotiators from the National Association of Professional Employees of the Judicial Branch (Asonal) on Monday have failed to end a strike, which has paralyzed the country’s justice system for three weeks.
Asonal delegates met with Minister Ruth Stella Correa on Monday. However, “the minister prevented a good environment for dialogue. She came with a proposal and demanded we accept it,” claimed Asonal president Fernando Otalvaro.
The judicial branch is striking in demand of better salaries, as well as a larger budget for the branch.
Once again, protesters took their anger to the streets, marching toward Bogota’s central plaza in the downtown area.
The demonstrators are no longer limited to those from the Bogota area. An estimated 100 people from the northwestern department of Antioquia, and 120 from Cali and Ibague in the country’s west came to the capital Tuesday to voice their frustration.
Approximately 42,000 judicial officers have been on strike since October 11, consequently shutting down courts. It is estimated some 100,000 court cases have come to a complete standstill as Colombian judicial workers enter their third week of strikes.
“There is a very big concern about the consequences of this judicial strike,” said Labor Minister Rafael Pardo said Monday. He added the stoppages would likely affect the trials of those accused of serious crimes.
