2016 ITUC Global Rights Index - Argentina
| Publisher | International Trade Union Confederation |
| Publication Date | 9 June 2016 |
| Cite as | International Trade Union Confederation, 2016 ITUC Global Rights Index - Argentina, 9 June 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5799aa7b15.html [accessed 3 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Workers repressed on International Women's Day: On 8 March 2016, a demonstation by the Minority and Education Labourers and Employees Union, composed mainly of school cafeteria cooks and porters, was violently repressed outside the General Directorate of Schools in La Plata. The union was demanding a pay rise of a minimum of 10,000 pesos, by not performing certain tasks and through peaceful demonstrations.
Repression of teachers' march in Santiago del Estero: On 7 March 2016, teachers from Santiago del Estero, affiliated to the Santiago Circle of Middle and High School Teachers (Cisadems) took part in a march to demand an increase in their basic salary, the lowest in the country. When the march was nearing its end, it met with fierce repression that left several wounded, and two people were arrested.
The General Secretary of Cisadems, Ana Blanco, explained that there had been a huge police operation to try to prevent the Santiago teachers' march, which began early in the day. Several union members from outside the town were intercepted and their vehicles impounded en route by the police to prevent them reaching the march.
Leader of CTA Autónoma arrested: On 26 January 2015, Rodolfo Aguiar, general secretary of the public workers' union Asociación Trabajadores del Estado (ATE) and the Rio Negro branch of CTA Autónoma, was arrested for taking part in the protest action against the dismissal of 12 subcontracted workers from the University of Comahue in Fisque Menuco (General Roca). The Federal Court of Río Negro had already prosecuted Aguiar in October 2015 for roadblocks that had been set up in August and December 2013.
Police brutality against workers in La Plata: On 8 January 2016, CTA Autónoma denounced the police brutality against striking municipal employees in La Plata, which left six workers seriously injured. The strike had been called following the mayors' decision to dismiss 4500 workers.
Repression of Cresta Roja workers' protest: On 22 December 2015, the public workers' association Asociación Trabajadores del Estado (ATE) denounced the police repression of the protest being staged by employees of the Cresta Roja poultry company to demand the payment of their wages and the preservation of their jobs.
The ATE questioned the action taken by members of the Gendarmerie, on the orders of the National Security Secretary, Eugenio Burzaco, to forcibly remove the employees who were staging a partial roadblock on the highway leading to Ezeiza airport. The workers were dislodged despite having already come to an agreement with the National Security Secretary that vehicles would be allowed to circulate freely.
