U.N. calls for strike talks in Colombia

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BOGOTA, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- A United Nations representative in Colombia said the government and coffee growers should talk out their differences.

"There is no other way out," said U.N. resident coordinator Bruno Moro, referring to the coffee workers strike that resulted in an estimated 30,000 demonstrators taking to the streets in various locations across the country.

Colombia Reports said Wednesday protesters are demanding greater support for the industry in which one strike organizer said it costs more to produce than farmers are getting paid.

"[Farmers] are paid $282 for a sack of coffee but the cost of producing it is $366," said strike organizer Victor Correa in an interview in January.

"These are small farmers. They are poor. The culture of coffee growing is important to Colombia but we cannot continue like this," he said.

"In all circumstances the solution is a dialogue that will arrive at an understanding -- an understanding where each party has to give a little and each party has to receive a little," Moro said.