28 June, 2018On 25 June, unions in Argentina orchestrated a 24-hour national work stoppage for the third time, protesting against the economic policies of Mauricio Macri’s government.
For 24 hours on 25 June, all services were paralyzed in Argentina. There were no planes, trains, subways, buses, banks or shops open. The empty streets were a testimony of the successful general strike called by the trade union centre CGT, supported by both CTA union centres.
According to an official statement, CGT decided on the strike measure
after a thorough debate, impressing on the authorities the need for changes in the direction of economic policy, to warn about the effects of the brutal economic adjustment on the population, and not receiving responses to the complaints
Workers have rejected the agreement between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a US$50,000 million loan, arguing that it will have dire consequences on employment, public works, social security systems, regional economies and public services.
Unions have condemned the veto imposed by Macri on a draft law limiting the increase in tariffs for public services. Instead, unions are demanding that the government review the planned cuts in public administration and limit the layoffs in the private sector.
Unions are also asking the government to reopen the tripartite wage adjustment negotiations for 2018, to take full account of the inflation forecast, which already exceeds the percentage calculated at the beginning of the year.
The clear message from the national trade union centres is that Argentina’s government must listen and respond to the demands and engage in social dialogue to help overcome the crisis and prevent new conflicts.
Marino Vani, IndustriALL Global Union regional secretary, says:
We stand in solidarity with workers in Argentina and congratulate them on the general strike against the economic policies of Macri’s government. Only unity, social dialogue and fighting back can bring an end to it.