Argentina is experiencing its first general strike since 2019 against Milei reforms

Argentina will live this Wednesday, under the Government of the ultraliberal Javier Mileiits first general strike since 2019, called by the country’s main trade union center, the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), and supported by political parties and social and human rights organizations, among others.

During half a day, between 12:00 p.m. (15:00 GMT) and midnight (03:00 GMT on Thursday), the Argentine union muscle will try to display its strength against the reforms of the current Executive that seek to deregulate the economy to the maximum and dismantle the structure of the State as it is known today.

The protest is focused on the decree of necessity and urgency (DNU), put into effect on December 29 and still under judicial protection in several points, and the bill Bases and Starting Points for the Freedom of Argentines, still in progress. legislative process.

The latter, known as the ‘omnibus law’, seeks to provide legislative power to the Government of Milei under a public emergency due to the current socioeconomic situation of the country, with 211.4% year-on-year inflation and more than 40% poverty in the population, which could extend until December 31, 2025, according to the review of the original text , which proposed an extension of said ’emergency’ until 2027.

First general strike since the Macri era

The Government of the Peronist Alberto Fernández (2019-2023) did not experience any general strike of the CGT, which, in the opinion of the current Executive, is surprising “for the silence they have had for so many years“said this Tuesday the presidential spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, in a press conference at the Casa Rosada (seat of Government).

“We don’t understand what puts them to sleep and what wakes them up.“, indicated the spokesperson in reference to the union leaders of the CGT, a Peronist-inspired union center, and requested that this Wednesday “freedom triumphs“, so that “Whoever wants to go to work, let him do it, and whoever wants to stop, let him do it, without cutting off any rights.”.

The last general strike experienced in Argentina dates back to May 29, 2019 and was the fifth that the Executive of the center-right Mauricio Macri (2015-2019) received.

The half-day strike this Wednesday includes a march that is expected to be massive to the National Congress, in Buenos Aires, where the process of the ‘omnibus law’ is still continuing in the plenary session of committees before the final passage to the Chamber of Deputies.

To avoid possible confrontations under the anti-picketing protocol implemented by the Ministry of Security, union leaders agreed with the Security authorities of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires on the streets through which the mobilization will take place and established circulation routes for emergency vehicles.

Public transport will operate throughout the day until 7:00 p.m. (22:00 GMT) to allow the movement of those who want to get around; The banks will open until 12:00 p.m. (3:00 p.m. GMT), which is when the strike officially begins; and in commerce there is division, since while the Argentine Federation of Commerce and Services Employees joined, the supermarkets plan to open.

The Government, which will deduct the daily wage of public employees who go on strike, opened a telephone number, 134, to receive complaints from those who receive threats or pressure to participate in the strike.

According to the Executive, the line received more than 3,000 calls with data that will allow the complaint to be processed before Justice.

After the two mobilizations that took place last December against the adjustments announced by the Executive of Mileithis will be the first general strike of the Government that began on December 10.