Peru's only brewer, Backus y Johnston, is continuing to meet local demand for its products in spite of a strike at the company’s Lima brewery, mass media has recently posted. The strike began on March 18th and has lasted 19 days. Around 310 unionized workers at the Ate brewery in Lima are demanding a 7% pay rise. They have warned not to go back to work until their demands are met. Backus said it is considering a salary rise in line with the increase in the cost of living and a one-off payment to workers.

However, Peru would not face a beer shortage this month, the company said. "Backus is meeting market demands, counting on its stocks and its distribution network, as well as its breweries outside Lima," Backus y Johnston added.

06 April, 2004