BOLIVIA: Domestics to Gain Healthcare Coverage

[Judi Lynn]

Source: IPS News

BOLIVIA: Domestics to Gain Healthcare Coverage
By Bernarda Claure

LA PAZ, Jun 12 (IPS) - Domestic workers in Bolivia, most of whom are young indigenous women from the highlands region, are about to gain access to healthcare coverage.

A law in effect since 2003 already limited their workdays to 10 hours in the case of live-in workers and eight hours for those who live independently, provided them with holiday bonuses and days off, stipulated that they should be able to go to school, and granted them all of the rights outlined in the General Labour Law.

But the articles on healthcare and pensions required specific regulations before they could be implemented.

The draft regulations on the former were sent to President Evo Morales on May 27. When he signs it into law, domestic workers will finally have broad healthcare and hospitalisation coverage for themselves and their children, with doctors available in the evenings (from 5:00 to 9:00 pm) so as not to interrupt the women’s work schedules.

"This is a very positive moment," Basilia Catari, secretary of organisation at the National Federation of Domestic Workers of Bolivia (FENATRAHOB), told IPS.



Read more: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=42775

[Judi Lynn]

1. Slavery in Bolivia? Reuters video

Slavery in Bolivia?
(01:28) Report

Jun. 12 - In Bolivia's agricultural heartland, accusations have arisen that hundreds of indigenous people are working and living like slaves.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights reported last year that some 600 Indian families in the area were living in a state of semi-slavery. In the local media, most of the accusations have focused on one farm

http://uk.reuters.com/news/video?rpc=401&videoId=84512&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=TopNews&rpc=401&videoChannel=1

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I posted this article, and more, already on Ronald Larsen, the American Peace Corps worker for one year who, one year later, ended up owning a HUGE amount of Bolivian land:

Bolivia seeks charges against Montana rancher, son
Posted on April 19
By DAN KEANE of the Associated Press

LA PAZ, Bolivia - Bolivia’s government is seeking to charge a rancher from Montana and his son n a former Mr. Bolivia pageant winner n for their alleged role in violent protests against President Evo Morales’ land redistribution plan.

Ronald Larsen, of Plentywood, who has extensive land holdings in Bolivia, and his son Duston are named in a criminal complaint for “sedition, robbery, and other crimes.” The complaint was announced on Friday by Deputy Minister of Land Alejandro Almaraz.

Ronald Larsen is accused of firing on Almaraz’s vehicle and holding the minister hostage as he tried to carry out a government inspection of Larsen’s Bolivian ranch on February 29. The Larsens are also accused of leading a protest last week in the nearby town of Cuevo that left some 40 people injured.

Prosecutors will now decide whether to file charges against the pair. Neither could be immediately be reached for comment, and it was unclear if they had hired a lawyer.

More:
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/04/19/bnews/br72.txt

Thread with additional information on Larsen:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3274980&mesg_id=3274980

[pattmarty]

2. Jesus Christ!!!!! Bolivia has BETTER social benefits than the US?

Say it ain't fucking so!!!!