Buenos Aires, August 25 (RHC)-- Argentina’s university professors ended the third week of protests with 70 symbolic lectures in the Plaza de Mayo on Friday, outside the presidential palace.  They are protesting austerity and cutbacks that affect public higher education budgets and a proposed wage increase of 15 percent.
 
“The situation is very serious.  We have three weeks of conflict, three weeks of not starting classes, and the lack of response by the national government makes us think there is no education ministry in this country,” Luis Tiscornia, secretary general of the National Federation of University Professors said.
 
The conflict between professors and the Argentinean government began in early 2017 when the government announced cuts for science and research.  In May 2018, professor organized the largest strike in over 12 years demanding a higher budget for higher education.
 
Since 2015, when businessman Mauricio Macri took office, the government has implemented austerity programs, generating conflicts across numerous sectors including state workers, human rights groups, students and the general population.
 
The professors, lecturers and other staff at public universities have organized a national march for August 30th.