By: Vive CABA Editorial
The City of Buenos Aires is today the epicenter of a battle that exceeds the walls of the Legislative Palace. While in the Senate the numbers seem to smile at Javier Mileyin the streets the climate is of maximum tension. The Government seeks to give definitive sanction to a labor reform that has aroused both enthusiasm in the business sector and absolute rejection in the unions.
Ambush and gases at the Obelisk
While the columns of unions and social movements tried to converge towards Plaza Congreso, members of the City Police intercepted the protesters in the Obelisk area. What began as an attempt to apply the «anti-picketing protocol» to free lanes of the 9 de Julio, ended in a pitched battle:
- Repression: Security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd gathering in Republic Square.
- Detained: At least a dozen arrests are reported in the vicinity of Corrientes and 9 de Julio.
- Injured: Protesters and some press workers were affected by pepper spray and rubber batons.
Chaos in the accesses and strong operations
From early on, mobility in the AMBA was affected. Company workers Fate led a partial cut in the Pan-American Highwaynear San Fernando, marking the pulse of what the day would be.
In the vicinity of Congress, the security deployment is total. Fences, water hydrant trucks and a strong police cordon surround the area to contain the columns of unions and social movements that are mobilizing under the slogan: «No to the delivery of rights».
What is being voted on today?
After the bumpy passage through the Deputies – where the controversial article on salary cuts for sick leave was eliminated – the project returned to the Senate for final approval. The points that most concern the Buenos Aires worker include:
- Compensations: The creation of an optional severance fund (UOCRA style).
- Probation: The extension of the trial months for new employees.
- Bleach: A regime of facilities for employers with unregistered workers.
- Essential services: The obligation to guarantee 75% benefits in sectors such as education and transportation during strikes.
The political pulse
Despite criticism from the opposition (UxP), the ruling party hopes to repeat the majority of 42 votes that it already obtained in the first round, thanks to the support of allied blocs and governors. The intention of the Casa Rosada is to reach Sunday, March 1, opening of ordinary sessions, with the law under its arm.
