Question

Describe the popular struggle of Bolivia??

Answer 1

Popular Struggle of Bolivia

(a) People's struggle against privatisation of water in Bolivia proves that struggles are integral part of Democracy.
(b) The World Bank pressurised the government to give up its control of municipal water supply. The government sold these rights to a multinationalcompany which increased the price of water by four times. Many people received monthly water bill of rupee 100 in a country where average incomeis around 500/- a month.
(c) In January 2000, a new alliance of labour human rights and community leaders organized a successful four day strike.
(d) The government agreed to negotiate and the strike was called off.
(e) The police resorted to brutal repression when the agitation started in February, followed in April and the government imposed martial law.
(f) But the power of people forced the officials of the MNC to flee the city and made the government concede to all the demand of the protesters.
(g) The contract with MNC was cancelled and the water supply was restored with the Municipality at old rates.
This popular struggle came to be known as”Bolivia’sWater War.”