Buenos Aires, May 5 (RHC-PL) --  In Argentina, the Federation of University Teachers (FEDUN) has called for a general strike on Thursday, to which 53 institutions of higher education have already pledged their support.

According to several media outlets, the secretary-general of the teachers union, Daniel Ricci, has claimed that the financial situation in higher education is very serious due to the lack of funds.

Ricci also noted that the increase in electricity, gas and water tariffs had damaged universities and added that they may not be able to pay salaries or services.

In an interview with Radio Del Plata, he said that the situation at the University of Buenos Aires was very serious and stated that the university board has warned that the current budget only guarantees its operation until August.

Meanwhile, Education and Sports Minister, Esteban Bullrich, told Radio Continental that the Argentine Government is supporting universities and referred to the announcement made by the government to assign an extra 500 million pesos ($34 million USD) to the university budget.