MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Capitanich downplays success of strike and claims only well paid unions joined
”There are 20 labor unions with over 30,000 members which did not join (the walkout). Only eight (unions) of over 30,000 members joined,” said Capitanich 
Workers that joined the strike include train drivers, bankers, port workers, public hospital employees and truckers, but not bus drivers Argentine cabinet chief Jorge Capitanich downplayed the success and support of Thursday's strike and stressed that the income tax, one of the key points in the protest only reaches 10.4% of workers and criticized radical groups for supporting those “who earn most”
“Today, 75% expressed their willingness to work, by not joining the strike proposed by a group of unions and union leaders,” Capitanich said in his daily press briefing at government house. “There are 20 labor unions with over 30,000 members which did not join (the walkout). Only eight (unions) of over 30,000 members joined,” he added.
“We need to decide who we are playing for, either those who earn the least or those who earn the most,” Capitanich said as he pointed out that only 10.4% of workers are reached by the income tax. “The ones to complain the most are the unions whose members have the best income level,” he added.
Asked about the government’s response to the main demands of the strike –inflation, income tax floor, insecurity-, the chief of ministers stressed that the government ‘does not turn a deaf ear to claims’ and pointed out that it “continuously monitors” the economy and labor situation and “works for solutions.”
The official praised the government’s investment in security and social inclusion and reiterated his accusations that the protests are of a “political nature”. He also called for national unity as the country faces the attacks of “speculative groups”.
Three of the country's five main union federations joined the 24-hour strike, and the action appeared to be only a partial success. The streets of Buenos Aires were quiet but not empty, with buses and taxis running, as well as half the capital's six subway lines. However the walkout shut down key sectors including banks and domestic flights.
The strike was called in protest over rising joblessness -- the unemployment rate is currently 7.5%, up 1.1 points so far this year -- and 30% annual inflation that has gutted workers' salaries.
Unions are also calling for a one-year embargo on layoffs and protesting an income tax they say has added to their financial woes at a time when the value of the peso is tumbling.
Workers that joined the strike include train drivers, bankers, port workers, public hospital employees and truckers. But unlike the last general strike on April 10, which paralyzed much of the economy, the key bus drivers' union did not take part.
The Argentine economy shrank 0.8% in the first quarter of 2014 and 0.5% in the final quarter of last year. The government is facing mounting pressure from markets to devalue the Peso, which it already has lost 44% of its value vis-a-vis the US dollar since January.
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Read all commentsOnly 10.4% of workers pay income tax! That is not a good sign.
Aug 29th, 2014 - 06:28 am 0Also, can anyone tell me if those train pics are current? Do they not clean graffiti off carriages?
How much does Capitanich get paid? Bet he's exempt from income tax. Or perhaps he gets someone else to pay? Even money says he's on a net US$7,000 a month. CFK is on a net US$8,500 a month.
Aug 29th, 2014 - 10:14 am 0Drugs in Rosario are sold at semi-permanent, fixed bunkers, in plain sight of everyone, including the police. According to official figures acquired by VICE News, about 200 of these bunkers — precarious constructions that can fit one or two people, and are hermetically sealed, but for a small orifice that is used to pass drugs through — were destroyed by national forces in April during a well-planned operative. Regardless, drug sales have not stopped. In fact, according to police reports, they are now available by delivery.
Aug 29th, 2014 - 12:06 pm 0“Now the boys at recess in school play to see who controls the bunkers,” Norma, a teacher from the Empalme Granero barrio in northeast Rosario, told VICE News. “This is a recent phenomenon. It didn't use to exist.”
https://news.vice.com/article/los-monos-the-drug-gang-of-rosario-argentinas-most-violent-city
he 200 pesos ($24) that truck driver Hector Jofre usually carries to bribe gang members or shanty dwellers for access to Argentina’s biggest grain port did no good one night in April.
Six youths in a pickup climbed on the back of the rig when Jofre slowed near a railroad track. They opened hatches that spilled 10 metric tons of corn onto 100 meters of road and swept up as much as they could. Jofre says it took three more deliveries without pay to compensate his employer for the loss.
“It used to happen once a month,” said Jofre, 31. “Now it’s every day. Truckers are getting spooked.”
https://news.vice.com/article/los-monos-the-drug-gang-of-rosario-argentinas-most-violent-city
Argentina is a narco state and whatever the narcos aren't running the mafia is.
A Failed State and its only going to get worse.
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