Amid a 36-hour protest by anti-government CTA labour union lead by Pablo Micheli and left-wing groups and as the national 24-hour strike called by anti-government CGT Union unfolds, cabinet chief Jorge Capitanich stressed that the income tax –one of the key points in the protest- only reaches 10.4% of workers and criticized MST and PO leftist groups for “supporting those who earn most.”
“Today, 75% expressed their willingness to work, by not joining the strike proposed by a group of unions and union leaders,” Capitanich said in his daily press briefing at government house. “There are 20 labour unions with over 30,000 members which did not join (the walkout). Only eight (unions) of over 30,000 members joined,” he added.
«We need to decide who we are playing for, either those who earn the least or those who earn the most,» Capitanich said as he pointed out that only 10.4% of workers are reached by the income tax. «The ones to complain the most are the unions whose members have the best income level,» he added.
Asked about the government’s response to the main demands of the strike –inflation, income tax floor, insecurity-, the chief of ministers stressed that the government ‘does not turn a deaf ear to claims’ and pointed out that it “continuosly monitors” the economy and labour situation and “works for solutions.”
The official praised the government’s investment in security and social inclusion and reiterated his accusations that the protests are of a “political nature”. He also called for national unity as the country faces the attacks of “speculative groups”.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald