On Thursday, April 10, workers across Argentina staged a massive nationwide strike to protest President Javier Milei’s sweeping austerity program, which has sparked growing public anger since his ultra-liberal government assumed office in December 2023.
This marks the third general strike under Milei’s administration and brought much of the country to a standstill. Public transport—including trains, taxis, and flights—was suspended, and port operations came to a halt. Key services such as banking, postal delivery, and waste collection were also severely disrupted.
Milei, a self-proclaimed libertarian, has rolled out an aggressive economic reform agenda aimed at overhauling Argentina’s debt-laden economy. His policies include large-scale public sector layoffs, the elimination of subsidies, and ending the printing of money to fund government spending—measures that have curbed inflation and led to a balanced budget.
Despite these fiscal achievements, many Argentines are feeling the squeeze. “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.
