Inflation raises protests around the world over rising living costs

Soaring food costs. Soaring fuel costs. Wages that are not keeping pace. Inflation has plundered people's wallets, causing a wave ofprotestsand strikes by workers around the world.

This week alone, Pakistani opposition, Zimbabwe nurses, Belgian union members, British railroad workers, Ecuadorian indigenous people, hundreds of US pilots, European airlines There was a protest by the workers. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister declared an economic collapse on Wednesday after weeks of political turmoil.

According to economists,Russia'sthewar in Ukrainefurther boosts energy costs and prices of fertilizers, grains and cooking oils Amplified inflation . Farmers struggle to grow and export crops in one of the world's major agricultural areas.

Read more: Inflation will continue to rise and recession will continue. Experts say they "beat the hatch"

As prices rise, inflation exacerbates inequality and struggles to cover costs. To continue spending, which could widen the gap between billions of people and capable people.

"We are not all together," said Oxfam, the poverty alleviation organization's responsibility for inequality policy. Said Matt Grainger. "How many rich people know the price of a loaf of bread? They aren't really, they just absorb the price."

Oxfam is in Germany this weekend We are calling on a group of seven major developed countries to host their annual summit to provide debt relief to developing countries and tax companies on excess profits.

"This is not just a crisis. It comes from behind a horrifying pandemic that has helped increase inequality around the world," Grainger said. "I think we will see more and more protests."

Demonstration In response to rising consumer prices, increased utility subsidies and fuel taxes It is attracting the attention of the government for support measures such as reduction. In many cases, the energy market is volatile, so it provides little relief. Central banks are trying to mitigate inflation by raising interest rates.

Meanwhile, workers on strike ask employers to discuss raising wages to catch up with rising prices. I'm under pressure.

This week, Eddie Dempsey, a senior UK rail, maritime and transport coalition official who almost stopped UK rail services on strike, said demand for more increases would increase across other sectors. rice field.

"It was around the time the UK raised salaries. Wages have fallen for 30 years and corporate profits have peaked," Dempsey said.

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Last week, thousands of South Korean truck drivers finished an eight-day strike and fuel prices soared. The shipment was delayed because we asked for a guarantee of the minimum wage. A few months ago, a Spanish truck driver, about 10,000 km (6,200 miles) away, went on strike to protest fuel prices.

The Peruvian government imposed a short curfew after intensifying protests against fuel and food prices in April. Truck drivers and other transport workers also went on strike, blocking major highways.

Last month, protests against the cost of living the expulsion of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister. Middle-class families say they have to skip meals because of the island nation's economic crisis and are urging them to consider leaving the island nation altogether.

This situation is especially dire for refugees and poor people in conflict areas such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Myanmar and Haitian.

"How much is my kidney?" This is the most frequently asked question in one of Kenya's largest hospitals. Kenyatta National Hospital reminded Facebook people this week that it is illegal to sell human organs.

For the European middle class, the cost of commuting and serving meals is high.

"Raise your salary now." We chanted thousands of union members in Brussels this week.

"I came here to protect the purchasing power of the public, because demonstrations are the only way to make a difference," said protester Genevieve Cordier. "We can't deal with it anymore. Even with two salaries ... we're both working and we can't raise our heads to the water."

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in some countries, especially in political hardships like Lebanon and Iraq. In some countries, the combination of government corruption and mismanagement supports economic turmoil.

Protests reflect rising economic instability. The situation in Africa is as follows.

"I have noticed that the authorities have betrayed people as far as this ever-increasing cost of living is concerned," said Ichisaka Porgo, president of the Civil Society Union. Behind the protests in West African countries.

Protesters blame the military junta, which expelled the democratically elected president in January, raised salaries while the population faced rising prices. ..

According to the International Monetary Fund, this year's inflation averages about 6% in developed countries and about 9% in emerging and developing countries. Global economic growth is projected to slow by 40% and 3.6% this year and next. The IMF is calling on the government to focus its support packages on those who need it most to avoid triggering a recession.

A slowdown will occur as the COVID-19 pandemic still dominates industries around the world, from manufacturing to tourism. Climate change and drought are damaging agricultural production in some countries, encouraging export bans that further boost food prices.

Rising food prices are especially painful in low-income countries where 42% of household income is spent on food. , Said Peter Celetti. Analyst tracking food security at risk advisory firm Eurasia Group.

"Probably more broad and angry, more protests, but we don't expect destabilization or a peaceful transition of power," the government coordinated with the government. As he approved the subsidy, he said.

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