Farmers' protests snarl traffic, lead to clashes in Peru

  • Farmworkers use a bus as a barricade to block the Pan-American highway during a protest in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. The workers are demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
  • Trucks line up as farmworkers block the Pan-American highway during a protest in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. The workers are demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
  • Drivers throw rockers trying to break a blockade on the Pan-American South Highway by farmworkers, on the fourth day of protests against the Agricultural Promotion Law, in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The farmworkers are asking for the elimination of the law, demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
  • Drivers throw rockers trying to break a blockade on the Pan-American South Highway by farmworkers, on the fourth day of protests against the Agricultural Promotion Law, in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The farmworkers are asking for the elimination of the law, demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
  • Trucks sit idle on the Pan-American South Highway during a blockade set up by farmworkers, on the fourth day of protests against the Agricultural Promotion Law, in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The farmworkers are asking for the elimination of the law, demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
  • A farmworker, left center, is pushed aside as drivers and commuters demand that farmworkers open up a stretch of the Pan-American South Highway they have blocked for days protesting the Agricultural Promotion Law, in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The workers are asking for the elimination of the law, demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
  • Trucks sit idle on the Pan-American South Highway during a blockade set up by farmworkers, on the fourth day of protests against the Agricultural Promotion Law, in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The farmworkers are asking for the elimination of the law, demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
  • Drivers throw rockers trying to break a blockade on the Pan-American South Highway set up by farmworkers, on the fourth day of protests against the Agricultural Promotion Law, in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The farmworkers are asking for the elimination of the law, demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
  • Venezuelan migrants heading to Chile walk around a blockade on the Pan-American South Highway set up by farmworkers on the fourth day of protests against the Agricultural Promotion Law, in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The farmworkers are asking for the elimination of the law, demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
  • Commuters walk around rocks serving as a blockade on the Pan-American South Highway set up by farmworkers on the fourth day of protests against the Agricultural Promotion Law, in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The farmworkers are asking for the elimination of the law, demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
  • Farmworkers eat breakfast as they block the Pan-American South Highway on the fourth day of protests against the Agricultural Promotion Law, in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. The workers are asking for the elimination of a law, demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
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Peru Agricultural Strike

Farmworkers use a bus as a barricade to block the Pan-American highway during a protest in Villacuri, Ica province, Peru, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. The workers are demanding better wages and health benefits. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

VILLACURI, Peru (AP) — Farmers demanding better pay have blocked a major highway in Peru for days, prompting truckers and motorists caught in nearly 10 miles (15 kilometers) of backed up traffic to pelt them with rocks on Thursday.

Truckers complained that cargos were about to spoil and motorists complained of lack of food and water. But police declined to intervene at the blockade about 300 kilometers (180 miles) by road south of the Peruvian capital. Other protoests broke out north of Lima, with farm workers clashing with the police who used tear gas.

The farm workers in the grape-producing region complain they are paid about $10 for a 12- to 14-hour workday. They are protesting clauses in a law that exempts them from benefits given other workers, including annual bonuses and vacations.

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