Argentina set to pass pension reform despite melee outside Congress
BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s Congress was on track to pass a pension reform measure on Monday, even as stone-throwing protesters rushed police outside the capitol building and the country’s main union called a 24hour general strike in opposition to the proposal.
President Mauricio Macri, elected in 2015 with a mandate to lift the heavy-handed currency and trade controls favoured by his predecessors, says Argentina needs pension reform to cut its deficit, attract investment and promote sustainable growth.
Debate on the bill was suspended on Thursday due to violent demonstrations. Macri then promised to decree a bonus payment to the neediest retirees. But that did nothing to satisfy the opposition and union activists who marched on Congress again on Monday as lawmakers debated the proposal inside.
Balaclava-wearing protesters used sling shots to fire rocks at police, who answered with water canon and tear gas, turning the vast lawn in front of the capitol into a battleground.
“This bill will put millions of retirees at risk. It changes the whole pension system,” Laura Rivas, a 34-year- old teacher told Reuters, standing back from the most violent protest areas.
“We are going to have to work more years before we can retire, and then the pension payments we get will be minimal, so it hurts us as workers,” she added.
Others closer to the front line shouted attacks on Macri, accusing him of balancing the budget on the backs of the poor. Scores of people were injured, including police officers, and dozens were arrested, authorities said.
Macri’s Cambiemos, or ‘ Let’s Change’, coalition does not have a majority in Congress. But it was expected to cobble together enough votes to approve the bill on Monday or Tuesday. — Reuters