Argentina’s CGT has announced a 24-hour general strike, expected before April 10, against President Javier Milei’s government. The strike, driven by concerns over wages, layoffs, and police repression during protests, will be finalized in a board meeting on March 20. It follows previous strikes and highlights broader social issues like pension rights and industrial decline.
In Argentina, the General Labor Confederation (CGT) is organizing a 24-hour general strike directed against President Javier Milei’s administration, anticipated to occur before April 10. Héctor Daer, a prominent CGT leader, announced this initiative during a meeting with various social movements at the CGT headquarters, highlighting that fixed-income workers are among the most impacted by current policies.
The CGT’s board plans to meet on March 20 to determine the specific date and address multiple grievances including the police repression witnessed in recent protests, low wages, layoffs, and unfavorable economic measures linked to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Daer confirmed, “On Thursday next week, we are going to have a meeting of the Board of Directors of our CGT.”
This announcement follows significant unrest during a protest by retirees, where over 120 individuals were arrested, and nearly 50 were injured, leading to widespread criticism of the government’s heavy-handed tactics. The plenary session of the Union of Workers of the Popular Economy (UTEP) coincided with the first national “Pope Francis” Congress, marking the anniversary of Jorge Mario Bergoglio’s election as Pope.
If executed, this will be the third general strike against President Milei, following similar actions on January 24 and May 9 of last year. The CGT, along with other social movements, aims to highlight pressing issues such as pension rights and the decline of domestic industries under deregulation pressures.
Daer articulated that the current administration is “stepping on wages” to keep them below inflation levels while “destroying” the Argentine industrial sector alongside exacerbating layoffs. He warned that further borrowing from the IMF could worsen the situation.
Daer remarked that the strike is not solely a response to recent police repression but also a reaction to governmental proposals that challenge societal consensus, including the abandonment of gender policies and the definition of femicide in legal statutes. Alejandro Gramajo, Secretary-General of UTEP, emphasized the legitimacy of retirees’ demands, criticizing the government’s use of repressive measures, calling their approach one of the most severe in recent Argentine history.
He asserted, “This model of cruelty, hunger, and misery has an expiration date, and that date will be set by the working people.” He also commended Pope Francis for his advocacy on behalf of working-class individuals, stating that his agenda promotes social justice efforts.
Among the notable attendees at the UTEP convention were several influential union leaders and 1980 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Adolfo Pérez Esquivel.
The CGT’s planned strike reflects deep unrest within Argentine society regarding economic policies and governmental repression. With ongoing calls for better wages, worker protections, and the preservation of rights, the strike signifies a continued resistance against the current administration’s approach. Leaders within the labor movement express a strong commitment to defending workers’ rights and social justice, anticipating that collective action could catalyze significant change.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
