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Thousands of Argentine teachers marched in Buenos Aires on Tuesday to demand an increase in salaries that they describe as leaving them below the poverty line.
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"Argentine teachers are living with salaries below the poverty level, and when we demand to rise above poverty, which means being able to buy a book, go to the theater, eat decently, (but) when we demand this, they repress us and we strike," said Secretary General of the Education Workers Union Eduardo Lopez. "But, this doesn't make us forget our main point: we're striking because we're at our limit, but we continue to fight to rise above poverty."
The teachers, carrying banners and signs and accompanied by beating drums, made their way through the city's streets on their way to the Argentine Ministry of Education to demand at least a 15 percent increase to their salaries.
"We've lost our purchasing power because of inflation and the taxes that have gone up in Argentina," university professor Milena Lamonega told Reuters. "So, we're trying to raise the awareness of the national and provincial government authorities so that they come to the bargaining table, a roundtable with workers."
In addition to the demand for a salary increase, the marchers are calling attention to alleged police repression of teacher protests in southern province of Chubut. Chubut has seen the most contentious conflict between teachers and authorities, with the confrontation ongoing for more than 100 days.
Lamonega added that the teachers were stretched thin by inflation and taxes and she hoped the government would come to the bargaining table.
Mauricio Macri's more than two-year presidency has been marked by severe cuts to education, health and other sectors as he spent time dismantling the trade and currency controls set up by his socialist predecessor, Cristina Fernandez, who had expanded the role of government in the economy.
Last Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) formally approved a US$50 billion aid package intended to help Argentina confront inflation, budget deficits and a weakening currency. This marked official acceptance of the agreement that Argentina struck last month, a move met with widespread protests by labor unions and Argentine protesters against austerity.
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