Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Argentines strike over inflation and crime

-

A general strike called to protest against the government of Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner disrupted public transport Thursday amid growing public anger over price rises and crime.

But the impact of the strike was uneven, with department stores, restaurants, businesses and schools open in Buenos Aires and Rosario, the country's third largest city, despite the difficult commute.

Buses, commuter trains and most metro lines were shut down by the 24-hour walkout, while airlines were forced to cancel flights.

Gas stations closed, and radical leftist youths formed pickets on the main access route to Buenos Aires from the early morning.

Hugo Moyano, a truckers' union leader who and one of the main organizers of the protest, predicted that the strike would be "broadly observed because people are unhappy."

But many people streamed to work on foot or took taxis, which were doing a booming business.

- Strike like 'medieval siege' -

Kirchner's chief of staff, Jorge Capitanich, compared the strikers' strategy to a medieval siege, saying there was "no place for barbarism" in Argentina.

Three of the country's five unions are taking part in a prtest that also targets Kirchner's attempt to cap salary increases in an increasingly troubled economy.

The Constitucion main railway station in Buenos Aires on April 10  2014  during the general strike i...
The Constitucion main railway station in Buenos Aires on April 10, 2014, during the general strike in Argentina
Daniel Garcia, AFP

Kirchner's center-left government is being blamed for an annual inflation rate of over 30 percent. In addition, crime is seen as a major concern by the population.

But not everyone supports the strike.

Alberto Gomez, 31, chief of security at a popular shopping mall in downtown Buenos Aires, said he will work as usual because his company has set up shuttle buses for workers.

"Here we are not on strike. We respect the stoppage, but do so while working," he said.

But the strike had broader repercussions elsewhere.

Pilots and aircrews rejected the strike, but airlines had to cancel flights anyway because air traffic controllers walked out.

The Ezezia international airport said its operations were normal, except for the national carrier Aerolineas Argentinas which suspended all its flights.

Aeroparque, a Buenos Aires airport that serves the domestic market, was closed, officials said.

Two metro lines whose workers did not strike were attacked on Thursday by violent gangs and were operating on a reduced schedule.

Besides the cap on salary increases, unions are angry about inflation and about rampant crime in major cities.

- A political push -

"I'm never in favor of the strikes, but living with this level of inflation is impossible," said Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri of the opposition PRO party.

View of a closed YPF gas station in Benavidez  province of Buenos Aires  Argentina on April 10  2014...
View of a closed YPF gas station in Benavidez, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 10, 2014, during the general strike
Daniel Garcia, AFP

Earlier this month, a year-long public safety emergency was declared in Buenos Aires after a spate of violent robberies and assaults sparked a wave of vigilante action.

The last general strike called by unions in Argentina took place in November 2012 and partially paralyzed the country.

"Everyone has the right to strike and that's good," Kirchner, who took office in 2007, said Tuesday.

Sociologist Jorge Giacobbe said the strike marked the start of a political push against Kirchner, who is in the final two years of her second term in office.

"The main objective is to tell the world that the public does not support the government's policies and the size of the strike will give a measure of that," said Giacobbe, who runs a consulting firm.

A general strike called to protest against the government of Argentina’s President Cristina Kirchner disrupted public transport Thursday amid growing public anger over price rises and crime.

But the impact of the strike was uneven, with department stores, restaurants, businesses and schools open in Buenos Aires and Rosario, the country’s third largest city, despite the difficult commute.

Buses, commuter trains and most metro lines were shut down by the 24-hour walkout, while airlines were forced to cancel flights.

Gas stations closed, and radical leftist youths formed pickets on the main access route to Buenos Aires from the early morning.

Hugo Moyano, a truckers’ union leader who and one of the main organizers of the protest, predicted that the strike would be “broadly observed because people are unhappy.”

But many people streamed to work on foot or took taxis, which were doing a booming business.

– Strike like ‘medieval siege’ –

Kirchner’s chief of staff, Jorge Capitanich, compared the strikers’ strategy to a medieval siege, saying there was “no place for barbarism” in Argentina.

Three of the country’s five unions are taking part in a prtest that also targets Kirchner’s attempt to cap salary increases in an increasingly troubled economy.

The Constitucion main railway station in Buenos Aires on April 10  2014  during the general strike i...

The Constitucion main railway station in Buenos Aires on April 10, 2014, during the general strike in Argentina
Daniel Garcia, AFP

Kirchner’s center-left government is being blamed for an annual inflation rate of over 30 percent. In addition, crime is seen as a major concern by the population.

But not everyone supports the strike.

Alberto Gomez, 31, chief of security at a popular shopping mall in downtown Buenos Aires, said he will work as usual because his company has set up shuttle buses for workers.

“Here we are not on strike. We respect the stoppage, but do so while working,” he said.

But the strike had broader repercussions elsewhere.

Pilots and aircrews rejected the strike, but airlines had to cancel flights anyway because air traffic controllers walked out.

The Ezezia international airport said its operations were normal, except for the national carrier Aerolineas Argentinas which suspended all its flights.

Aeroparque, a Buenos Aires airport that serves the domestic market, was closed, officials said.

Two metro lines whose workers did not strike were attacked on Thursday by violent gangs and were operating on a reduced schedule.

Besides the cap on salary increases, unions are angry about inflation and about rampant crime in major cities.

– A political push –

“I’m never in favor of the strikes, but living with this level of inflation is impossible,” said Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri of the opposition PRO party.

View of a closed YPF gas station in Benavidez  province of Buenos Aires  Argentina on April 10  2014...

View of a closed YPF gas station in Benavidez, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 10, 2014, during the general strike
Daniel Garcia, AFP

Earlier this month, a year-long public safety emergency was declared in Buenos Aires after a spate of violent robberies and assaults sparked a wave of vigilante action.

The last general strike called by unions in Argentina took place in November 2012 and partially paralyzed the country.

“Everyone has the right to strike and that’s good,” Kirchner, who took office in 2007, said Tuesday.

Sociologist Jorge Giacobbe said the strike marked the start of a political push against Kirchner, who is in the final two years of her second term in office.

“The main objective is to tell the world that the public does not support the government’s policies and the size of the strike will give a measure of that,” said Giacobbe, who runs a consulting firm.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Tech & Science

The CBRE 2024 Scoring Tech Talent Report shows that Calgary’s tech workforce grew by 7.5% in 2023, and 78% over the last five years

Business

While many CIOs recognize GenAI's importance—a significant majority say it’s crucial for their operations—the real implementation rate is low.

Tech & Science

A portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction.

Business

Sony's net profit jumped in the second quarter thanks to stronger sales in gaming.