BREAKING: Argentina is experiencing unprecedented disruption as a national strike paralyzed the country on February 19, 2024. Workers, students, and retirees took to the streets in a fierce protest against President Javier Milei’s recent labor law reform, marking the fourth national strike since his far-right government assumed power in 2023.
This urgent mobilization comes just days after the controversial labor bill passed the Chamber of Deputies. The legislation, which critics call reactionary, restricts workers’ rights to organize, extends the workday to 12 hours, eliminates overtime pay, and reduces sick leave benefits. Furthermore, it significantly cuts employer contributions to the national pension fund, all under the guise of “modernizing” Argentina’s economy.
The strike was called by the CGT, Argentina’s largest union federation, after months of perceived inaction toward Milei’s sweeping austerity measures. This latest protest saw public transportation come to a complete standstill, with subways and buses halted. Major flight cancellations compounded the chaos, while factories, banks, and numerous businesses closed their doors, leaving trash piled on sidewalks as sanitation workers joined the strike. Schools, hospitals, and ports faced significant disruptions, while demonstrators erected roadblocks on highways.
Despite government repression, the protest has drawn support from various sectors, including youth and anti-capitalist parties such as the PTS (Party of Socialist Workers). Elected leaders from these groups, including Myriam Bregman and Nicolás Del Caño, vehemently condemned both the bill and Milei’s administration during speeches in Congress and protests outside.
While the Chamber of Deputies approved the bill on Friday, critics argue that the traditional center-left Peronist parties, which provided necessary quorum for legislative discussions, share blame for the passage. Their conciliatory approach towards Milei has stifled effective opposition and facilitated the government’s neoliberal agenda.
The anger from workers is palpable, as they rally against ongoing austerity measures that threaten their livelihoods. Thursday’s national strike is a clear demonstration of the working class’s power, challenging the government’s attempts to undermine labor rights.
As the situation unfolds, the PTS and other grassroots organizations are calling for intensified efforts, urging workers and students to engage in assemblies at workplaces and schools across the nation. They advocate for an indefinite national strike to counter the labor bureaucracy’s reluctance to mobilize fully.
WHAT’S NEXT: The outcome of this national strike could redefine labor rights in Argentina, as workers continue to unite against Milei’s austerity measures. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as protests are expected to escalate in the coming days.
The fight for workers’ rights is far from over, and the urgency for action resonates deeply amidst the economic turmoil. The solidarity exhibited during this strike may serve as a catalyst for change in Argentina’s labor landscape.
