Argentina’s trade unions organized a general strike on Thursday to protest austerity measures and other reforms introduced by the ultra-liberal President Javier Milei, who was elected last year. In the South American country with almost 50 million inhabitants, airports, ports, supermarkets and banks are out of service, Reuters reported.
Buenos Aires
18:34 May 9, 2024
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Argentine trade unionists organized a general strike on Thursday | Photo: Agustin Marcarian | Source: Reuters
The one-day strike comes as Argentina’s parliament debates a reform package pushed by the president to deregulate Argentina’s business sector and limit the state’s influence over the economy.
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Milei took office last year promising to dramatically cut public spending after years of high spending and debt, but the country’s deep economic problems remain.
The general strike follows massive protests last month in response to cuts in education. CTA union leader Hugo Yasky said the strike was an expression of opposition to “a government that benefits only the rich at the expense of the people, gives away natural resources and seeks to abolish workers’ rights.”
In Argentina, mass transport is paralyzed on Thursday, schools, including universities, have significantly reduced classes. Work has stopped in the important grain processing sector, while trading in markets is limited and bank employees are also joining the strike.
The protest is a test for the government of the economist and former commentator Mileia, who shocked by winning the autumn elections. In the campaign, he distinguished himself against all established political parties, and a chainsaw referring to cuts in public spending became the symbol of his program.
Reuters reports that his plans are still supported by many Argentines after years of economic problems.
However, his market-oriented steps and austerity measures have a negative impact on residents’ finances and are accompanied by a drop in economic activity. According to the news company BBCinflation, which Milei identifies as her main challenge, has started to decline recently, but is still extremely high, reaching almost 300 percent.
CTK
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