On 14 July 2010, protests called by Peru’s FTCCP construction workers union federation brought 150,000 workers into the streets of cities throughout the country. Over 25,000 demonstrated in Lima.

Members of 125 unions participated in the march, which, in addition to protesting the deaths and injuries of 131 construction workers since 2008, demanded wage raises and improved working conditions. According to media outlets, “[T]he mobilization caused huge traffic tie-ups in downtown Lima, Arequipa and Chiclayo.” Workers denounced the government of President Alan García.

In a press release, FTCCP General Secretary Mario Huamán Rivera said that the protest “will demand of the Congress the passage of a law that protects the lives of workers, that penalizes with jailing those businesspeople who…provoke death or injuries to their workers.” He added that dependents of the dead workers have filed charges in court against the construction firms, but the companies were merely levied a fine that must be paid to the Labor Ministry.