Argentina Strikes To Protest President Javier Milei's Austerity Measures Halts Daily Life

A massive strike has been launched all over Argentina in protest against libertarian President Javier Milei's crippling austerity measures to combat the country's massive economic problems and sky-high inflation rates.

So far, Milei's austerity measures have slowed down inflation a bit and stabilized local markets. However, he has also decimated the real economy of Argentina which inflated prices and devalued the peso so much that its once-highest banknote of 2,000 pesos is now only worth $2.

His controversial approach has certainly raised eyebrows as he pledged to fix the economy with a "chainsaw" as Argentina was suffering from the biggest economic crisis in its history. While it did help businesses, it has put a dent in people's salaries and pushed more and more people into poverty, with Argentina's poverty rate only getting higher with Milei's policies.

Workers across various unions in Argentina are pushing back by organizing this nationwide strike, which organizers have described as against "a government that only benefits the rich at the expense of the people, gives away natural resources, and seeks to eliminate workers' rights."

This has now become a serious test for Milei's government as the strikes have resulted in much of daily life across the country being paused as flights have been suspended, ports paralyzed, and schools and universities with minimal functions, according to Reuters.

These strikes are pushing for a broad reform package that includes labor reforms that still need to go through the Senate after getting through the Lower House. However, the administration has criticized the strike as unjustified and said it would simply hit people who wanted to work.

Argentina Daily Life Paralyzed by Strikes Amid Javier Milei Austerity Measures

This is already the second massive nationwide strike against Mileu and it has resulted in the usually-busy streets of Buenos Aires being virtually emptied, with public transportation not working, Banks, businesses, and several state agencies are also closed in protest.

Trash collectors have also walked off the job, leaving garbage to pile on the streets, according to the Associated Press. Despite all this protest against his measures, Milei is still trying to be defiant as he posted a photo of himself on Instagram while holding up a soccer jersey emblazoned with the words "I DON'T STOP."

Why Are So Many People Protesting in Argentina?

Under Milei, the government has tried to weaken labor protections and make it easier to privatize public companies through a sweeping reform bill dubbed the "omnibus bill." If it passes the Senate, it will give Milei sweeping powers to legislate on administrative, economic, financial, and energy-related issues for a year, according to DW.

Many in Argentina fear that many in the country are now afraid that should the bill get passed into law, it will leave them vulnerable to exploitation, and poorer. This might also lead to massive job cuts in the public sector, reduced subsidies, and strained welfare programs.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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