Public school teachers have been striking over the past three weeks, and have scheduled demonstrations for today. The WSJ reports that Demand for higher wages complicate President Mauricio Macri’s efforts to curb inflation and spur economy as the opposition backs the strikes with an eye on October’s legislative elections:
In intensifying walkouts and street rallies involving five national unions, teachers are asking for higher salary increases and blasting Mr. Macri for failing to jump-start the economy and control Argentina’s relentless inflation, which reached 40% last year. The government, aiming to cap inflation at 17% this year, has discouraged cash-strapped provincial governments, which set teacher salaries, from granting more generous raises.
. . .The deepening standoff underscores the difficulties facing Mr. Macri’s pro-business government as it seeks to unwind years of free-spending populist polices by his predecessor, President Cristina Kirchner, and secure the political and popular support needed ahead of legislative elections in October. Mr. Macri needs a convincing win to push forward with his reforms.
The Journal reports that teachers in the Buenos Aires province make 43% of what teachers earn on average in other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries.
The Journal reports that teachers in the Buenos Aires province make 43% of what teachers earn on average in other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries.
That is not a lot different from a comparison of per capita income, which puts Argentina’s per capita income at about 50% for the OECD.
GDP per capita, PPP (constant 2011 international $) 2015
Argentina 19,126
OECD 37,635
World Development Indicators Databank (World Bank)