Workers Join March
Social organisations, trade unions and workers in the popular economy took part on Friday in Buenos Aires in the traditional San Cayetano march, which set off from the Basilica of Liniers and moved towards the Plaza de Mayo, as part of the Day of the Patron of Bread and Work.
The mobilisation brought together the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), the two Centrals of Workers of Argentina (CTA) and the Union of Workers of the Popular Economy (UTEP) under the slogan “Peace, Bread, Land, Housing and Work”, on a day that also marked ten years since the first mobilisation of this kind to the Plaza de Mayo.
Economic Concerns Grow
The march also served as a platform to question the economic policies of President Javier Milei’s government. The protesters were critical of the country’s economic situation. “It has been ten years of struggle, inspired by Pope Francis, for land, housing and work for all our compatriots,” said Juan Grabois, who called for the struggle to be strengthened across social, political, student, women’s, environmental and indigenous organisations.
“Work in Argentina is declining more and more each day and not only are jobs being lost, but workers can no longer even make ends meet,” said Juan Pablo, an informal worker.
Protesters Demand Change
Romina Padilla, a member of UTEP, said this was the worst year of the march. “There are many people who have taken the blindfold off, who voted for this government, who are short of money at home and cannot make ends meet.” She also said that “in the neighbourhoods drug trafficking is increasing” and thefts are rising, while soup kitchens are becoming ever more necessary for jobless families.
The main rally was held in the Plaza de Mayo, in front of the Casa Rosada, where the organisations read out a joint document with demands linked to work, incomes and the situation of the popular sectors.
Faith And Workers
The first speaker was Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, who criticised the country’s situation and said that “today is a handover to the big corporations”.
San Cayetano is venerated in Argentina as the patron saint of workers, and every 7 August attracts both the faithful who come to ask for or give thanks for work and social and trade union organisations, which since 2016 have held a parallel mobilisation towards the Government House to press for better conditions for the popular sectors.
Article by Viory
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