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
Argentina's Labor minister Carlos Tomada said that it is not a government’s priority to discuss the modification of the income tax or re-opening wage talks, as dissident unions demanded during a general strike on Thursday which partially paralyzed Buenos Aires city since several transport unions joined the stoppage.
Argentine organized labor leader Hugo Moyano called on the government of president Cristina Fernandez to take note of Thursday's strong mobilization across the country after unions affiliated to the Teamsters figure and gastronomic heavyweight Luis Barrionuevo caused widespread disruption.
Argentina will witness on Thursday a new test of political clout and influence between the administration of Argentine president Cristina Fernandez and dissident organized labor, headed by teamster Hugo Moyano who has called for a national strike, anticipating it will have a resounding massive support and turnout from the Argentine people.
Argentina's inflation in January climbed to 4.61% and 30.78% in the last twelve months according to the average from private consultants estimates which are released every month by opposition lawmakers in what is known as the 'Congressional index'.
Pope Francis dismissed on Sunday reports that he had called for a meeting between representatives from President of Cristina Fernández government and members of the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) and organized labor CGT union, with the supposed aim of discussing economic issues.
Leaders of the Argentine business sector find “positive” that possibilities of Cristina Fernández re-re-election are fading, said FIAT Argentina CEO Cristiano Ratazzi who also questioned the so-called Kirchner development-inclusion model.
A major labour dispute is turning into an ugly conflict with the main Argentine dissident labour union challenging the government of President Cristina Fernandez and her latest policy of freezing supermarket prices for two months in a bold attempt to contain inflation.
Argentina’s powerful organized labour even divided have agreed that the recent rise in the income tax floor announced by the government of President Cristina Fernandez is ‘not enough’ and industrial action is anticipated as soon as next March, when full activity resumes in Argentina following summer holidays.
Argentine dissident organized labour concentrated at the emblematic Plaza de Mayo and claimed the government of Cristina Fernandez was applying IMF recipes by halting wage hikes for workers and called on the Lady to address inflation and rampant crime.