# La Paz Bolivia health worker labor dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/la-paz-bolivia-health-worker-labor-dispute
> Updated: 2026-09-07T01:43:24.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

In La Paz, Bolivia, the Federation of Medical Branch Unions in Public Health (FESIRMES) has rejected a directive from the Cotahuma Municipal Hospital requiring health personnel to perform street cleaning duties. The union characterized the order as “professional indignity and workplace harassment,” arguing that such tasks fall outside their professional profiles and training.

The dispute occurs during a sanitation crisis in the city, following a 14-day suspension of garbage collection services by the company La Paz Limpia. While Mayor César Dockweiler stated that health staff are not obligated to perform cleaning tasks, local officials have alleged instances of extortion and abuse of power, claiming workers were pressured to comply as a condition for contract renewals.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-07: La Paz authorities conduct major waste collection and cleaning operations

Authorities in La Paz, Mexico, have completed major cleaning operations, collecting over 2,200 tons of waste city-wide and removing 40 tons of debris near the Metro La Paz station to improve safety.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-paz-authorities-conduct-major-waste-collection-and-cleaning-operations

### 2026-08-23: La Paz health workers protest orders to perform street cleaning

Health workers in La Paz, Bolivia, are protesting orders to perform street cleaning duties amid a 14-day municipal garbage collection crisis and allegations of labor harassment.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/la-paz-health-workers-protest-orders-to-perform-street-cleaning

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Cite as: La Paz Bolivia health worker labor dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/la-paz-bolivia-health-worker-labor-dispute