Thousands in Argentina demand more aid for the poor

Record ID: 78417

  • Title: Thousands in Argentina demand more aid for the poor
  • Date: 18th November 2016
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (NOVEMBER 18, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTEST PROTESTERS CARRYING LARGE ARGENTINE FLAG AND LEAVING
  • Embargoed: 3rd December 2016 23:20
  • Keywords: protest march Argentina capital aid poor
  • Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • City: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA00358Z4E9V
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Tens of thousands of protesters, marching under the banners of unions and leftist groups, blocked traffic in Argentina's capital on Friday (November 18) to pressure the government into increasing subsidies to the poor.
    The country continues to suffer through a prolonged economic recession nearly one year after President Mauricio Macri's center-right administration took office and instituted market-friendly reforms aimed at boosting Argentina's competitiveness and taming rampant inflation.
    Macri has largely maintained the generous social programs he inherited from the previous populist administration of Cristina Fernandez, but his relations with unions and leftist social groups have been tense because of soaring consumer prices.
    On Friday, some of the country's largest unions, including the General Workers' Confederation, blocked Avenue 9 de Julio - one of the widest streets in the world - to pressure the government to approve legislation that would boost subsidies to the poor and create jobs with public funds.
    "For us decent work and fair wages means working with unions with agreements, with social security and with all the rights that are claimed by colleagues who do not yet have it," said General Secretary of CGT (General Confederation of Workers), Juan Carlos Schmid.
    "The lack of work, unemployment, marginalisation, poverty, is the way the entire economic system has failed. That is why we not only come to ask Congress for social emergency, we come to tell you to end it. Dismissals and suspensions in the business sectors," added Juan Carlos Schmid.
    Macri's ruling coalition opposes the law, which was approved by the Senate this week, but has not yet been considered by the lower house.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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