Argentines take to the streets again

By María Josefina Arce

The Argentinean people once again took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the economic policies of the government led by Javier Milei, which have had a negative impact on the living conditions of a large part of the population, especially salaried workers and pensioners, who are suffering an accelerated process of impoverishment.

On August 7, public employees went on a national strike and march to demand, as they have pointed out, two things that Milei is depriving them of: bread and work.

Rodolfo Aguiar, general secretary of the State Workers Association, denounced the reduction in salaries, the massive layoffs and the budget cuts carried out by the current executive.

He stated that in seven months 178 thousand jobs have been destroyed, the majority of Argentines are in debt and the state is closing institutions.

The largest rally took place in the capital, Buenos Aires, with the participation of other social, human rights and trade union groups, such as the CGT, the General Confederation of Labor, the largest in the South American country.

With a massive participation, as has been characteristic of the protests in Argentina since Milei became president last December and implemented an economic program that has led to an increase in the prices of the basic food basket and services and a loss in the purchasing value of salaries.

In fact, in the midst of this context, the authorities announced that as of the 12th, public bus fares in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires will increase.

Another sector strongly affected by Milei's adjustment is that of university professors and non-teaching staff of these higher education centers, whose income has fallen by 45%.

Franco Bartolacci, Rector of the National University of Rosario, pointed out that just as the institution cannot function without a minimum of resources, neither can it function without adequate salaries for the educational workers who train future professionals.

As a result, many teachers are beginning to leave the public system in search of better options, as their situation is unsustainable.

Wednesday will be another day for Argentines to defend their rights in the face of a government that does not listen to the demands of a large part of the population.