MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine labour accuses CFK of “escalating repression” and endangering human rights policy

Pablo Moyano ‘congratulated’ lawmakers who obtained a 100% salary hike

Argentina’s organized labour hit back at President Cristina Fernandez and expressed concern over what it described the “escalation” of government repression and hoped the country keeps to state policies of persuasion and unrestricted respect for human rights.

In a written statement signed by CGT labour confederation leader Hugo Moyano released on Tuesday, the organization condemned the police “repression” against former soldiers who were asking to be recognized as veterans of the Malvinas War, and wondered “whether something is changing in Argentina.”

“Without discussing the details of their protest, the CGT is concerned by this apparent change in policy, which used to be inherent to the City Government and its policy of repression against the homeless or the eviction of street peddlers by the Metropolitan Police,” the organization said in a written statement that is also signed by the CGT Human Rights secretary Julio Piumato.

“This new incident joins others such as the repression against the teamsters in Chubut and the repression against the citizens of Catamarca who were protesting against the mining projects,” and it is “at odds with the respect for Human Rights and the policies enacted by the National Government since 2003,” the text added.

“Therefore, the CGT condemns the incidents and expresses its concern over an escalation that we hope doesn’t mean a change in the policies of persuasion and unrestricted respect for Human Rights that we hope continues to be state policy,” it continued.

Earlier in the day the CGT criticized national Argentine lawmakers over their sudden decision to double their salaries and Pablo Moyano, Secretary General of the truck drivers union said upcoming wage talks should be based on that figure.

“Argentine workers congratulate lawmakers who obtained a 100% hike,” Pablo Moyano, Central Labour Confederation leader Hugo’s son, said in a statement. This amount exempts us from setting a percentage in the collective bargaining. We celebrate the arrival of a honourable worker from the Lower and Upper Houses who was able to understand the needs of lawmakers and senators, unlike his predecessor, Julio Cobos, who delayed this legitimate claim and lawmakers were exploited by this ‘exploiter’.

“We eagerly hope that the Labour Ministry approves this hike, which can not be compared to the 35% increase that UATRE farm hands union was unable to obtain. It is possible that their claims are unfounded, as they every day make our economy and our trade work, but they are far from the selfless lives of our lawmakers at Congress,” he added.

Argentine lawmakers and Senators’ salaries went from approx 3.900 dollars to almost 8.000 dollars per month.