Argentine Police Injure and Detain Protesting Pensioners

Pensioners and social organizations in Argentina were evicted by police during a protest in Buenos Aires, that left several people wounded and detained, according to La Jornada.

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Police from Mar del Plata used rubber bullets, tear gas and sticks to break up a protest of elderly pensioners that included disabled participants.

The workers of Freddo, the most important ice cream producer, occupied the headquarters of the company in the neighborhood of Balvanera to support those workers that had been previously fired and the low wages that they maintain.

They also rejected the proposed new labor reform to be applied by the government of Mauricio Macri, which they say include massive layoffs and threats against union delegates and those who attend workers' assemblies.

"The labor reform is already being applied here," said a delegate of the workers. "The money is not enough, I can't pay the rent anymore."

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The Board of Directors of the General Confederation of Labor has rejected the government's attempt to reform the Labor Contract Law, which includes a labor flexibilization project and is open to continuing dialogues with officials.

They accuse the government of using the labor reform to destroy workers unions in the country.

The main criticism against the government is that since Macri took office in 2015, over 108,000 public workers have been laid off. Also, the administration eliminated energy and gas subsidies resulting in a 500 percent price increase for electricity, and a 300 percent jump for natural gas.