scuffles planes grounded in argentina strike
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Scuffles, planes grounded in Argentina strike

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Scuffles, planes grounded in Argentina strike

An Argentina general strike protesting job and pay cuts disrupted 800 flights,
Buenos Aires - Arab Today

 Airlines in Argentina grounded international flights and riot police scuffled with protesters Thursday as workers staged a general strike to protest job and pay cuts.

Conservative President Mauricio Macri condemned the call to strike in Latin America's third-biggest economy, where he faces midterm legislative elections in October.

The strike shut down schools, banks and public transport and demonstrators blocked streets as Macri hosted international leaders and businesspeople at an economic forum.

The National Civil Aviation Administration said the strike disrupted 800 flights, affecting some 60,000 passengers. Buenos Aires Ezeiza international airport was effectively shut down.

Police and demonstrators clashed during a rally near one of the roads into Buenos Aires.

Judicial sources said five people were injured and six arrested, lowering an earlier toll of arrests.

- Widespread strike -

Unions and officials said participation in the strike was high, in a country where official data show a third of the people are living in poverty.

Pablo Micheli, leader of the Argentina Workers' Headquarters union, estimated participation at 90 percent.

"The stoppage is a success," said Carlos Acuna, leader of the General Labor Confederation, a major union.

"It has demonstrated across the country the discontent with the government's economic policies."

Labor Minister Jorge Triaca said there was "a high level of participation" in the stoppage.

But he echoed Macri's criticism of the unions, accusing them of using the strike to apply political pressure ahead of October elections.

The strike coincided with the World Economic Forum on Latin America, which draws business and political leaders to Buenos Aires.

Civil groups planned a major protest march toward the Hilton hotel where the forum was being held under tight security.

- Job cuts -

Macri took office in December 2015 vowing to rescue the flagging economy, open up trade and draw investment after 12 years of leftist government.

The economy remains bogged down, having shrunk 2.3 percent last year, though it ticked upwards in January.

Inflation is high in the double digits, according to various estimates, while jobs and salaries have been cut in Macri's efforts to stabilize the public finances.

"There is enormous discontent because the economic policy has not yielded results," said Juan Carlos Schmid, leader of the General Labor Federation, another major union, controlled by the opposition.

- Macri defends record -

Macri complained during a speech Wednesday that the strike "does not help workers at all," accusing unions of "mafia-like behavior."

He hardened his line after tens of thousands people demonstrated in his support on Saturday, in response to several previous mass protests against him.

The wealthy businessman-turned-president has been hit in recent months by allegations of financial conflicts of interest, which the courts are investigating.

His vice president, Gabriela Michetti, said the strike was "an extreme measure which will cost the country a billion dollars."

Macri defended his record at the forum, recalling he had settled a major dispute with foreign debtors and lifted currency controls which distorted the value of the peso.

"It is clear that what started 15 months ago in our country goes much deeper than just economic change," he said.

source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

scuffles planes grounded in argentina strike scuffles planes grounded in argentina strike

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

scuffles planes grounded in argentina strike scuffles planes grounded in argentina strike

 



GMT 16:16 2014 Wednesday ,10 September

Samirah Ibrahim receives Saudi cultural attaché

GMT 09:32 2017 Sunday ,24 September

China confirms will limit oil exports to North Korea

GMT 19:56 2016 Saturday ,17 September

Typhoon Meranti death toll rises to 28

GMT 09:40 2018 Monday ,01 January

OIC Summit opens in Kazakhstan

GMT 06:37 2015 Monday ,07 December

Iran film directors protest colleague's jail term

GMT 18:37 2017 Friday ,25 August

Mental health issues should be prioritized

GMT 04:39 2017 Thursday ,31 August

Trump vows to right 'self-destructive' tax code

GMT 05:29 2017 Tuesday ,22 August

Celebrations across India on 71st Independence Day

GMT 10:54 2017 Wednesday ,11 October

Child obesity grows tenfold since 1975

GMT 02:31 2016 Tuesday ,06 December

Dubai Women Establishment delegation participates

GMT 04:29 2018 Wednesday ,19 September

North and South Korea: Kim and Moon hail new future

GMT 14:18 2013 Monday ,19 August

Newlywed Lebanese couple pose at car bomb site

GMT 11:11 2011 Friday ,12 August

Palestinian university ranks seventh in Arab world

GMT 15:16 2015 Wednesday ,26 August

UAE ambassador attends charity ceremony in Qalubiya

GMT 16:59 2016 Tuesday ,26 July

Hedge funds in new cycle of oil short-selling
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday