On Wednesday, the largest labor union in Argentina launched a general strike, calling off tens of thousands of workers to protest the administration of President Javier Milei and his “shock therapy” policies, which have been pursued to confront the country’s 211 percent inflation rate and spiraling debt.
The strike lasted at least twelve hours and was held in the capital city of Buenos Aires. The unions are particularly enraged by the economic reforms Milei has made, which are informed by his radically pro-capitalist philosophy. These reforms include the slashing of over 300 regulations, cutting energy subsidies, and firing thousands of government workers.
As Valuetainment previously reported, the unions have pursued legal action against Milei, finding allies in the country’s court system which has been staffed for decades by the pro-welfare Peronist political faction. Now they are taking more obstructive measures.
The strike affected most of the city’s industries, from transportation to finance, and represents the largest act of rebellion against Milei’s libertarian agenda since he took office in December. It was organized by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), an umbrella of unions that was incensed by Milei’s omnibus bill and the mega-decree of deregulations. The omnibus bill is currently being hotly debated in the nation’s lower congressional chamber, which includes a large cohort of Peronist politicians.
“The first cut this government is making is to the workers,” said Pablo Moyano, the leader of the powerful truckers union. “Their labor reform aims to take away workers’ rights.”
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“We did not choose this path, but unfortunately they gave us no alternative,” Gerardo Martínez, leader of Argentina’s Construction Workers Union, told Financial Times. “There will be at least 200,000 marching [in Buenos Aires] and I believe the strike will be total.”
About 40 percent of Argentina’s workforce are union members, according to the unions’ estimates.
Even though the strike began to disrupt public and hospital services and led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, Milei’s government pushed on and vowed to adhere to its austerity measures.
“There is no strike that stops us, there is no threat that intimidates us,” said Argentine Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich, who was Milei’s rival during the election but has now become an ally. “It’s mafia unionists, poverty managers, complicit judges, and corrupt politicians, all defending their privileges, resisting the change that society chose democratically and that President Milei leads with determination.”
NO HAY PARO QUE NOS DETENGA
Sindicalistas mafiosos, gerentes de la pobreza, jueces cómplices y políticos corruptos, todos defendiendo sus privilegios, resistiendo el cambio que decidió la sociedad democráticamente y que lidera con determinación el presidente @JMilei. No hay paro…— Patricia Bullrich (@PatoBullrich) January 24, 2024
Milei’s administration justifies the austerity agenda, saying it is economically necessary to prevent the nation from total financial apocalypse. The previous administrations, eager to perpetuate government spending and borrowing, have forced Argentina into debt with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and has left 4 in 10 Argentines in poverty.
Watch Milei attack socialism and the collectivist vision of the world promoted by elites at the World Economic Forum here.
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics, economics, and culture for Valuetainment. Follow Shane on X (Twitter).
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