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A strike "general" in Bolivia to demand better wages and dismissal of at least three ministers began to strengthen on Friday in its second day, with the closure of most schools and universities and a partial paralysis of transportation.

However, the Government of Evo Morales continued to show unmoved by the protest, which did not affect the most important productive activities such as exporting natural gas to Argentina and Brazil, mining, and the few industries in the country, one of the poorest South America.

The strike, the second of a general and indefinite in more than five years in the government of Morales union also was declared to demand a wage increase greater than 10 percent declared last month, as insufficient the unions blamed ministers Economy, Labour and Health.

"The strike is growing, as are the gears, because the government does not want a solution, the president still leaves us in the hands of these three ministers whose resignation insensitive demand now," he told reporters the leader of the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) , Pedro Montes.

In addition to teachers, Montes said that other sectors such as health workers, municipal officials and state mine workers have said they will join "in the coming hours" to stop that, on his first day, had a minimal impact on jobs .

The COB called Thursday for a letter a direct dialogue with Morales, but Communications Minister, Ivan Canelas, said that the conflict would be attended by ministers.

"As government we want to dialogue but they (the COB) dialogue to determine the presence of the president when the ministers who have that responsibility," said the official spokesman.

Canelas reiterated that the Government saw the protest "a desire for representation of some leaders for the coming congress of the COB, which will elect new leaders.

This conference will take place in May and not in the second half as originally announced, union sources said. Meanwhile, union leaders from various sectors who arrived in La Paz announced they would hold further rallies and blockades as those that shook the city center on Wednesday and Thursday last.