An August 10 recall referendum confirmed Bolivian President Evo Morales’ tenure in office with a 68 percent vote—but also saw right-wing prefects, or governors, win big in four eastern departments that have been pushing for autonomy. In the aftermath, the problems facing ordinary Bolivians remain unsolved, according to Oscar Olivera, the Secretary General of the Federation of Factory Workers of Cochabamba. Sarah Hines, of the Socialist Worker, interviewed Olivera in Cochabamba shortly before the referendum vote.

The conflict triggered by Alejandro Saravia is changing shape now that widespread employer abuses have become evident. The factory workers know that they must figure out how to restablish labor stability and respect for the nation’s workers.

A commission headed by the Viceminister of Work, Labor and Cooperative, Adalberto Rojas, arrives in Cochabamba to resolve the Manaco conflict and hunger strike “for labor stability and respect for workers.

Today, there was a vigil in front of the Factory Workers of Cochabamba Federation headquarters and an agreement in La Paz was signed between the Ministry of Work and the General Confederation of Factory Workers of Bolivia to send a commission to Cochabamba to try to resolve the conflict.

Today, 21 workers from different factories all over Bolivia are on a hunger strike. One of them is Alejandro Saravia, a 55 year-old man who has spent the last 28 of those working for Manaco, and who was recently fired in what we see as an unjust and illegal move.

The conflict initiated by former Manaco union leadership, leaders of the Factory Workers Federation of Cochabamba, and a worker unjustly fired appears in the seat of government as other sectors join on to raise the pressure.

We are trying to recuperate this culture of solidarity, reciprocity, respect, and of seeing each other as equals, with our totality and unity as the only means of action and struggle to advance and triumph. The young factory workers can’t struggle alone or advance in the recuperation of their rights. We all have to be here to accomplish it, and we the old workers can’t see our dreams as creators of a more just society realized without these principals being a part of our goal.

As of June 30, Alejandro Saravia, along with leaders from the Manaco union and leaders of the Factory Workers of Cochabamba, including Oscar Olivera, are on hunger strike against the grave, though sadly common-place, workers rights violations committed by Manaco.

How true it is that nothing lasts forever. Bolivia’s exploited classes, of mainly indigenous origin, are now confronting more than five centuries of exclusion.