Many shops were closed because salesmen could not come to their workplaces. Employees of banks, shopping centers, schools, universities, transport system, garbage collection and postal workers also took part in the strike.
The government criticized the second general strike in five months. “They should stop fretting and get to work,” said Home Secretary Patricia Bullrich. The conservative politician called the work stoppage a sign of weakness.
In Buenos Aires, stones were thrown at two buses that were running despite the strike. A taxi driver who did not take part in the strike told the TV station: “If I don’t work, I won’t have anything to eat. I have to work to feed my family.”
A major economic crisis has hit Argentina. Inflation is over 280 percent and the country is on the verge of recession. South America’s second-largest economy suffers from a bloated state apparatus, low industrial productivity and a large shadow economy that keeps the state from collecting much tax revenue.
President Milei has ordered tough austerity and recently cut thousands of public sector jobs, slashed subsidies and canceled social programs. The general strike is also directed against labor law reform, which is currently being debated in the Senate.
Tags: Argentinians revolted President Mileis harsh austerity policies
