What's happening in Argentina?
The neoliberal agenda is still being implemented in Argentina under the leadership of President Javier Milei.
In reality, a new presidential directive that enters the public administration sector with a straight leg and makes state personnel cannon fodder has been issued in the last few hours. The newspaper El Pais' reconstruction claims that this most recent clause will prevent the contracts of public employees employed in 2023 from being extended. There is discussion about a possible participant count of five thousand to seven thousand, but the list goes on.
Because the Milei administration intends to examine hirings that were done before to this year in the public sector as well. An extraordinary reduction from which employees who are subject to legally mandated quotas or who get various forms of special protection—such as employees who are deemed indispensable or those with disabilities—will not be affected.
The unions responded to Milei's most recent attempt by preparing to oppose it. The Association of State Workers called the policy an assault and declared that they would not tolerate a single firing.
Additionally, the General Confederation of Labor, the Workers' Central, the Piquetera Unit, and a few opposition groups are organizing a rally today. The protest will happen in front of Buenos Aires' Palace of Justice, despite the Milei executive's previous announcement that all appropriate steps will be used to quell any violence. It is important to remember that Patricia Bullrich, the Security Minister of Argentina, has issued an action protocol that permits the arrest of anyone obstructing traffic during a demonstration. Additionally, recipients of state subsidies who are stopped during protests will forfeit their entitlement to public contributions.
The same minister went on to create a nationwide registry where all groups initiating protests must register. Among other things, those registering will be responsible for paying for any police use that may arise. As a result, in Milei's Argentina, the strike is no longer a right but rather an annoyance for the government that needs to be put an end to, even at the cost of force. The Milei Government is carrying out a massive sell-off of public firms, with the airline Aerolineas Argentinas and the state oil company YPF being the first to depart. This is in addition to widespread layoffs in the public sector and the prohibition of strikes.
It's worth recalling that Argentina appeared to have resolved its energy supply issues lately with the opening of the Nestor Kircher pipeline, named after the previous President, which started delivering eleven million cubic meters of gas to the nation last July.
The world's second-largest gas reserve and fourth-largest oil reserve, respectively, may be found in the Vaca Muerta geological formation in northern Patagonia, which is home to a significant deposit of this natural resource. So, Milei might have been the target of foreign financial operatives looking to get access to Argentina's vast riches.
A conjecture reinforced by the President's itinerary of travel: Milei selected Davos as his first overseas destination at the World Economic Forum in 2024. The ideal cattle market where national treasures may be auctioned off by politicians.