The Peruvian Regional Workers' Federation (, FORP) was an anarcho-syndicalist federation of unions, Guilds and resistance societies that was founded in 1912 in Peru. It was prominent in the fight to achieve the eight-hour workday.
History
Background
At the end of the 19th century the first trade unions were founded in Peru, some with marked anarchist influences. However, anarchism remained largely unorganized and dispersed until the beginning of the 20th century. In 1904, Manuel Caracciolo Lévano, Delfín Lévano, Fidel García Gacitúa and Urmachea, all anarchist militants, founded a Bakers Union and organized the country's first strike. On May 1, 1905, they paid homage to the Chicago Martyrs for the first time. In 1907 the anarchists supported a dockers' strike in the port of El Callao, where the repression ended with the killing of Florencio Aliaga, the first death of the Peruvian labor movement.
In 1911, publication began of La Protesta newspaper, which promoted the anarcho-syndicalist model used by the Argentine Regional Workers' Federation (FORA). The Argentine trade union sent the Italian anarchist militants José Spagnoli and Antonio Gustinelli to help organize an anarchist federation in Peru. This style of unionism held a strong influence on the textile industry, which carried out a general strike.
Foundation
In 1912 the Peruvian Regional Workers' Federation was founded in Lima. It immediately launched a campaign for the eight-hour workday. The Federation was made up of several unions, including the Resistance Society of Biscuit Workers and Annexes, the Federation of Electricians, the "Estrella del Peru" Federation of Bakers, the Textile Union of Vitarte and the Proletarian Union of Santa Catalina. The Federation also received the support of specifically anarchist groups such as "Luz y Amor" and "Luchadores por la Verdad" and various libertarian publications.
In November 1912, the Local Union of Day Laborers began their first meetings in the Municipal Theater of El Callao, ending with a general assembly. The reformist "Confederation of Artisans Universal Union" which was opposed to direct action measures, also participated, coming into conflict with the anarchists. On December 15, a second assembly was held, and a campaign for the 8-hour day was initiated. On December 28, the list of demands was concluded during a third assembly.
The fight for the 8-hour day
On January 5, 1913, the General Union of Day Laborers demanded an 8-hour workday, salary increase and medical coverage for work accidents, giving a period of 24 hours before starting an indefinite general strike. On January 7 the strike broke out, after the union rejected the employer's proposal. The strike in El Callao was joined by gas operators, millers, printers, bakers and other unions.
On January 9, the President of Peru exhorted the workers to lift the strike and sent troops to regain order; the workers rejected the warrant and continued the strike. The company of the dock had to give in and granted the demands, with a 10% salary increase. This example was followed by other unions, which began their campaigns for the 8-hour workday throughout Peru. On January 12, FORP and the newspaper La Protesta organized a rally in El Callao to celebrate the victory and continue the struggle.
The fight for the 8-hour workday spread to other parts of the country, unleashing a wave of strikes. There were conflicts in Talara, Lagunitas, Loritos and Negritos. FORP also carried out a strike against Fox Duncan y Cía, for the reinstatement of 60 dismissed workers, which ended up reversing the dismissals.
The implementation of the 8-hour workday throughout the country was achieved in 1919. However, the first FORP was dissolved and replaced in December 1918 by the Local Workers Federation of Lima (FOLL).
The Subsistence Committee
The First World War generated great benefits for the Peruvian business class in the export of raw materials, but at the same time there was an increase in local prices due to speculation in basic products while workers' meager salaries did not increase. In April 1919 the anarchist unions began a campaign to lower the price of essential goods, creating the Committee for Cheaper Subsistence (, CPAS).