Miners, teachers clash with Bolivian police during protests demanding higher old-age pensions

A demonstrator returns a tear gas canister fired by police during a protest by striking miners in La Paz, Bolivia, Thursday, May 16, 2013. Workers from the workers union Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) began an indefinite strike on May 6 to demand the government of President Evo Morales improve the pension law. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) (The Associated Press)

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Demonstrators run away from tear gas fired by police after a march by striking miners ended in clashes in La Paz, Bolivia, Thursday, May 16, 2013. Workers from the workers' union Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) began an indefinite strike on May 6 to demand the government of President Evo Morales improve the pension law. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) (The Associated Press)

Police stand behind tear gas after firing it at striking miners after the miners' march ended in clashes in La Paz, Bolivia, Thursday, May 16, 2013. Workers from the workers' union Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) began an indefinite strike on May 6 to demand the government of President Evo Morales improve the pension law. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) (The Associated Press)

Hundreds of miners, teachers and other workers have marched in Bolivia's capital on the 11th day of protests called by the country's largest union to demand higher old-age pensions.

Miners exploded dynamite and protesters tried to occupy the plaza where Bolivia's seats of government are located. Police forced protesters back with tear gas.

The protests called by the Bolivian Workers Central began May 5. There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests Thursday, but protests last week left 33 people injured and more than 100 detained.

Protesters are demanding that President Evo Morales' government double pensions, which currently range from $21 to $28 a month. The government is offering an 81 percent hike.

Morales said Thursday's protest involved "about 500 or 1,000 miners, and 1,000 teachers, perhaps more."

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