Thousands gather in Argentina's capital to demand better working conditions

By Bala Chambers

LONDON (AA) - Thousands of people gathered in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires' historic Plaza de Mayo Square on Thursday to demand better working conditions and more social programs as the South American nation grapples with high inflation.

The protest was scheduled for 3 p.m. but was delayed for several hours as an estimated 50,000 demonstrators belonging to various social movements and left-wing organizations started arriving for the event, titled "For work, for salary, against hunger and against poverty,” held close to the presidential palace.

Protestors called for more work and wage increases and decried the poor social conditions in Argentina, with banners saying “For social change” and “No to the adjustments of the government and the IMF (International Monetary Fund); the debt is with the people.”

Several loudspeakers were set up, as social leader Celeste Fierro argued that "there are employed and unemployed workers here, because there is only one battle -- it is against the adjustment policies of the Fernández government and the IMF, who want us to pay for the crisis."

Currently, the country is experiencing a 37% poverty rate, which continues to impact daily life for millions, causing many to join the protests and travelling from outside the capital.

Thursday's protest was driven by a government decision not to extend a social program called 'Potenciar Trabajo’ (Enhancing Work).

Those taking part in the protests have argued that the decision not to extend it was made "at the request of the International Monetary Fund," according to the local daily Perfil.

On Thursday morning, members of various organizations and social movements began to congregate across the city before converging downtown at Plaza de Mayo, with swathes of the city's traffic impacted.​​​​​​​