2018.06.2515:31:00UTC+00ARGENTINA: 24-hour National Strike Hits Hard

The 24-hour national strike called by the Argentinean General Confederation of Labor (CGT) held Monday had the support of almost all unions and social movements, and paralyzed the main economic activities of the country and is being considered as the strongest strike of Mauricio Macri's administration.

The strike was called in rejection of the veto of President Mauricio Macri on the increase in public services fares, and the financial agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), among other points related to the workers.

The strike was called by CGT two weeks ago. With the adhesion of other unions and social movements, the main accesses to the federal capital are blocked by demonstrations against the government.

There was no public transportation (buses, trains, metro and partially taxis)on Monday, while hospitals and justice had partial or on-call care. Bars and shops partially adhered.

Meanwhile, even after negotiating a wage increase of 25% last Tuesday, the truck drivers also decided to join the strike.

According to Labor Minister Jorge Triaca, in an interview with a local radio station, the strike "belongs more to the leaders than to the people."

He thanked "all the Argentineans who went to work."

Macri said the strike "does not contribute anything."

The third general strike during the Macri administration occurs after an attempted dialogue between the unions and the government.

"[The national strike] to put a brake on the burden that is being imposed on the workers and society as a whole, especially on the most vulnerable sectors, aggravating the social situation and provoking greater poverty," said Hector Daer, one of the leaders of the CGT.