Wages have lost more than 44% of purchasing power as protests disrupt public services.

On Tuesday, the State Workers Association (ATE) began a nationwide strike across Argentina in rejection of far-right President Javier Milei’s austerity policies.

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The day of protest included blockades at the airports of Bariloche and El Calafate, as well as a demonstration outside Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires.

Workers are demanding the immediate reopening of wage negotiations following a loss of more than 44 percent of purchasing power during the Milei administration, ATE Secretary Rodolfo Aguiar said.

The union said imposed wage agreements fall below inflation, deepening the economic crisis faced by public employees in charge of the country’s strategic agencies.

Protests also spread to entities such as the National Meteorological Service and the National Institute of Industrial Technology (INTI).

At the latter institution, workers rejected statements made by Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation Federico Sturzenegger, who seeks to eliminate more than 900 functions considered vital to the state.

Aguiar said society supports their demands, understanding that cuts to public employment do not eliminate privileges but instead result in a loss of rights for the entire population.

During the nationwide strike, workers will maintain minimum staffing in hospitals and emergency care in centers for minors and older adults. Agencies such as the National Social Security Administration (ANSES) and the Comprehensive Medical Care Program (PAMI) are operating on a limited, emergency-only basis.

The protest also affects activities related to health controls at ports and customs, forest fire brigades and maintenance of nuclear plants.

State workers reiterated they will continue assemblies and mobilizations to denounce the dismantling of state structures and demand dignified conditions in the face of austerity policies affecting the public sector.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: Diario El Sur – Argentina 12

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