Argentina’s main labor unions initiated a 24-hours general strike of public transportation services, including buses, trains, subways, and airplanes last Thursday. The course of action was a reaction to what they perceive as President Javier Milei’s austerity policies, which resulted in a shutdown of transportation services and the emptying of streets as millions of Argentine workers took part in the strike.
Jointly called by the General Confederation of Labor, the Argentine Workers’ Central Union (CTA), and the Autonomous CTA, this strike was done “in defense of democracy, labor rights, and a living wage,” as read in their joint statement. The labor unions accuse the government of a range of detrimental actions including the removal of labor and social rights, closure of significant state departments and institutions, unemployment, underfunding of public health and social security, and promoting privatisation of public companies.
The strike was also a response to the controversial Decree 70/2023, which includes changes in legislation such as the elimination of labor standards for establishments of up to five workers, the replacement of severance pay by a termination fund, and fines for lack of worker registration. Arguably, the most controversial part of the decree being the approval of the “Bases and Starting Points for the Liberty of Argentines” project by the chamber of deputies, part of Milei’s reform, next to Decree 70/2023, which now goes to the Senate, despite being disapproved in the initial stages.
On the strike day, a provisional measure issued in January suspending applying the labor chapter provisions of Decree 70/2023 was confirmed by the National Labor Court.
In response to the strike, President Milei’s spokesperson stated that it was “the weakest strike in history” that sought to keep Argentina “on a path of servitude.” Afterward, President Milei posted a photo captioned “I do not stop” on his Instagram implying his lack of concern towards the strike.
This event marked the second general strike called against President Milei’s austerity measures. The first such strike took place earlier this year in January.
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