Argentina: Teachers' and subway workers' strikes in Buenos Aires April 6 /update 2

Event

Workers from various sectors are planning to strike in Buenos Aires on Friday, April 6. Unions representing teachers are planning to hold a 24-hour strike, disrupting academic classes. Subway workers in Buenos Aires will also go on strike, suspending service from 20:30 (local time) until the end of the day. Members of the Union of Judicial Workers (SITRAJU) will strike from Thursday, April 5, through Friday. The Argentine Banking Association (AB) is also planning to hold a 24-hour nationwide strike and associated protests in major cities on Friday.

Associated demonstrations are expected to block roads at some 40 points in Buenos Aires from 09:00 to 11:00, and protesters are expected to march to the City Legislature building beginning at 12:00. Additional strike actions, related disruptions (including transportation disruptions), associated protests, and heightened security measures are possible in Argentina, including in Buenos Aires, in the coming days.

Context

The strike actions and associated rallies slated for Buenos Aires on April 6 are in response to the proposed imposition of wage ceilings amid high rates of inflation and unemployment recorded under the government of President Mauricio Macri.

Related strikes among teachers, public health workers, and judicial branch workers took place in Buenos Aires province on April 5, protesting low salaries, forced retirement, and massive public employee layoffs. Since December, over 1000 state employees have been let go, and the government recently announced tentative plans to force 3000 teachers into early retirement and slash the annual retirement pension by 40 percent.

Advice

Individuals in Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, prepare for localized transportation disruptions, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.