2024 general strike against Javier Milei
 |
| Date | January 24, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Argentina |
| Type | General strike |
| Cause | Decree 70/2023 |
| Organised by | CGT |
A series of organized protests against Javier Milei in Argentina began on 24 January 2024, with a national general strike occurring only weeks into his presidency.[1] The strike was organized by one of the nation's largest labor unions, the General Confederation of Labour.[1][2]
Background
Austerity measures
Days into his presidency, Javier Milei enacted the devaluation of the Argentine peso against the United States dollar by fifty-four percent, beginning a shock therapy economic policy.[1][3] Austerity measures, including privatizing state companies and reducing funds for social programs faced opposition from various social groups.[1] Milei also halved Argentina's ministries (from eighteen to nine) and cut thousands of jobs for state workers.[4] Such policies have been supported by right-wing governments internationally and the International Monetary Fund, with the latter praising Milei approaching towards a "market-oriented economy".[4]
The annual inflation rate for Argentina in 2023 was 211.4%, the worst in Latin America, while the poverty rate stood at 40%.[1] Milei's cost-cutting policies have made minor pleasures unattainable for Argentines and affected the salaries of citizens through the following months[1] and inflation increased.[4] According to Ecolatina, unemployment and poverty are expected to increase,[1] with Milei's first month in office seeing inflation increase from a monthly rate of 12.8% to 25.5%.[2]
Omnibus bill
Milei proposed legislation in an "omnibus bill" of over 500 proposals which would change elections, restructure the government and enact more restrictions against the right to protest, including increased prison time.[1][2][4] He also requested emergency powers from the National Congress of Argentina for a period of one year.[1] With Milei gathering more power among his government, labor groups grew concerned and began to organize protests.[4] Using popularity enjoyed shortly after his election, Milei sought to quickly pass the omnibus bill.[4][5]
Protests
In opposition to President Milei's policies, tens of thousands of Argentines protested in the streets while others participated in a national general strike organized by the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) on 24 January 2024.[2][6] The strike resulted with businesses and institutions closed throughout Argentina, including the cancellation of hundreds of flights which stranded tens of thousands of passengers.[2][7] Thousands protested outside of the Palace of the Argentine National Congress.[2] According to The New York Times, the protests were "overwhelmingly peaceful."[4]
CGT general secretary Héctor Daer said in a speech that Milei's policies would "destroy" labor rights and that he was attempting to limit the actions of labor unions while inequality increased.[5]
The Milei government responded to the protests by threatening to withhold payments to government workers who demonstrate and imprisoning individuals who block roads.[4] Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich described protest leaders as "mafiosos" while another Milei spokesman called the demonstrations "undemocratic."[5]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Grinspan, Lautaro. "'Traitor': Thousands strike against Argentina's President Javier Milei". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Phillips, Tom; Iglesia, Facundo (2024-01-24). "Argentinians stage nationwide strike against Javier Milei's far-right agenda". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ "Argentina's Milei starts shock therapy by devaluing peso by 50 percent". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2024-01-18. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Nicas, Jack; Herrera, Lucía Cholakian (2024-01-24). "A Nationwide Shutdown Tests Milei's Tough Medicine for Argentina". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ a b c "Argentina's president faces 1-day general strike as foes seek to derail his austerity agenda". Associated Press. 2024-01-24. Archived from the original on 2024-01-24. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
- ^ "Argentine unions raise challenge to Milei with major strike, protest". Reuters. 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Argentina: Tens of thousands march against Javier Milei's cuts". BBC News. 2024-01-24. Archived from the original on 2024-01-26. Retrieved 2024-01-25.