Argentina halts: Nationwide strike challenges Milei's austerity
The largest labour unions in Argentina commenced a 24-hour nationwide strike on Thursday in opposition to the austerity measures led by President Javier Milei. Trains, taxis, public schools, rubbish collection services, and ports came to a halt, and most flights were cancelled.
This marks the third general strike by Argentina's largest union federation, CGT, against Milei's policies, who has been spearheading a widespread "chainsaw" campaign to cut public spending since taking office in December 2023 to steer the country out of a severe financial crisis.
"Following this action, they'll need to turn off the chainsaw. It's finished. There's no more room for further cuts," said Rodolfo Aguiar, president of the ATE public administration workers' union, in a statement.
Communication paralysis
The strike resulted in significant communication disruptions, paralysing the operation of trains, taxis, and ports and causing interruptions in air transport. Classes in public schools were cancelled, rubbish collection stopped, and mail delivery was suspended, with many government offices limiting their operations.
As pledged, city buses continued to run, which led to long queues at bus stops in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. Shops and private schools remained open.
Tensions arose on Thursday morning between protesters and the police. Officers dispersed a group of left-wing demonstrators who tried to block traffic on the Pueyrredón Bridge, one of the main access routes to Buenos Aires.
The government strongly criticised the strike, displaying a message on railway station screens accusing union members of an "attack on the republic." "The union caste is attempting a coup against millions of Argentinians who want to work," the statement read.
Major cuts in Argentina
Milei won the 2023 election on a wave of public dissatisfaction with rampant inflation, corruption, and a worsening financial crisis. Since assuming power, he has been working to dismantle the welfare state established over decades and reshape the country based on a neoliberal model.
As part of the economic "shock therapy," Milei has laid off thousands of public administration employees, dissolved several ministries and government agencies, and reduced social benefits. While the country achieved a budget surplus, it has worsened the financial situation for many families. Retirees and pensioners have felt the impact particularly acutely.
The poverty rate initially increased under Milei's administration to over 50%, but – according to official data – declined to around 38% in the second half of 2024.
