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Under the banner, “Without Land, Roof and Work, Reforms are Against the People," social organizations in Argentina are demanding congress pass the Emergency Food Law and the Popular Economy Law.
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People marched throughout the capital of Buenos Aires as well as in the states of Salta, Chaco, Tucuman, Santa Fe and Misionesto demanding that the laws be passed and that President Mauricio Macri’s administration stop its series of austerity labor and economic reforms.
Thousands of people, organized by Neighborhoods on Their Feet, the Classist and Combative Current, and the Confederation of Solidarity Economy Workers, set up pop up food kitchens in at least 1,000 locations, including the Plaza de Mayo, the congressional building, and the presidential palace to feed people and demand the government halt its current economic reforms they say is driving people into poverty.
The social movements said, "We urgently need the emergency food and solidarity economies laws to be passed, and we reject the [administration’s] labor and pension reforms.”
Between January and June of 2017, poverty increased by more than 8 percent, from 20.4 to 28.6 percent in Argentina, according to the country’s National Institute of Statistics. In some Buenos Aires neighborhoods, the poverty percentage rose 13.4 percent, a 4 percent increase over the same time in 2016.
A recently released study by the Institute of Social, Economic and Citizens Institute found that malnutrition in Argentina has increased from 43 to 48 percent in kids aged 2 to 19.
In a country with the third largest economy in Latin America, over 11 million Argentine residents live in poverty. Activist leader, Daniel Menendez told reporters at the rally that these statistics are “sad and outrageous.”
The emergency food bill has been stuck in congress since August. Menendez said the important part of the law is that “it has to do with malnutrition.” He added that “48 percent of young people in Buenos Aires” are suffering from malnutrition, eating lots of sugars and starches and having a hard time getting enough protein in their daily diet.
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Menendez said malnutrition and poverty are worse under Macri as compared to previous administrations.
Since 2016 Macri’s economic reforms have resulted in the layoff of over 108,000 public workers. He and right-wing senators have slashed energy and gas subsidies, causing a 500 percent price increase in electricity. Some parts of the country have seen a 300 percent jump in natural gas prices as well as 10 percent cost increases in public transport in some parts of the country.
On Nov. 22, the groups plan to march to the steps of the Ministry of Agriculture with small-scale farmers from across the country. On Dec. 6 they will join national labor unions at the Plaza de Mayo.
The Justice Workers' Union marched yesterday against Macri’s plan to cut the judicial sector budget and layoff workers.
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