Workers across Argentina staged a nationwide strike on Thursday, April 10, in protest of President Javier Milei’s sweeping austerity programme, which has triggered widespread discontent since his ultra-liberal government took office in December 2023.
The general strike, the third under Milei’s administration, brought much of the country to a standstill. Public transport services—including trains, taxis, and flights—were halted, while operations at port terminals ceased. Essential services such as banking, postal delivery, and garbage collection were also severely disrupted.
President Milei, a self-described libertarian, has introduced a radical economic reform plan to transform Argentina’s deeply indebted economy. His measures include mass layoffs in the public sector, the elimination of subsidies, and a halt to financing government spending through money printing—a move that has contributed to reduced inflation and a balanced budget.
Despite these fiscal improvements, many Argentinians are struggling to cope with rising living costs. “People are unhappy because the money no longer lasts until the end of the month,” said Andrés Rodríguez of the CGT trade union federation in an interview with Radio Rivadavia.
Pensioners have been among the hardest hit by the reforms, as their benefits have failed to keep pace with inflation. Approximately 70% of retirees receive only the minimum pension—equivalent to about $320 per month—while average monthly living costs in Argentina are estimated at around $1,100.
GNA