Mining Journal reported that Peru's largest federation of mining unions has agreed to call a nationwide strike starting on March 15th, to protest mounting job cuts and to pressure Congress to lift caps on profit sharing.

Mr Luis Castillo the group's head said that the strike has been approved for March 15th. Mine workers are upset by job cuts spurred by the global economic crisis, which has slammed prices for most of Peru's metal exports, the government's largest revenue source.

According to the mining federation, more than 5,500 workers have lost their jobs since December while the Labor Ministry puts the figure at 4,000. Unions also want better working conditions and for Peru's Congress to lift caps on profit sharing.

In 2008, the federation held a nearly one week strike, which hit some key mines and helped push global copper prices to record highs. The work stoppage had a minimal impact on production as managers called in temporary workers.

(Sourced from Mining Journal)