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Argentina anti-austerity strike brings country to standstill

EPA A view on an empty bus lane during the general strike in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 25 June 2018EPA
Streets were empty throughout the day in Buenos Aires

Argentina has been brought to a halt by a general strike, called by trade unions in protest against a $50bn International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan.

The General Confederation of Workers is also demanding salary hikes in line with inflation of nearly 30% a year.

Trains, buses and the underground system stopped in Buenos Aires. Access roads to the capital were blocked by activists.

Some 15 million people were affected in the capital, officials said.

AFP Demonstrators march along 9 de Julio avenue in Buenos Aires on June 25, 2018, during a 24-hour general strike called by Argentina's unions in protest of the government's deal with the International Monetary Fund.AFP
"No to the reforms, to tariff rises, to the IMF," reads the banner

Flights were suspended across the country.

The IMF agreed to lend $50bn (£37.6bn) to President Mauricio Macri's government earlier this month after the local currency, the peso, collapsed.

Mr Macri said he took the decision to avoid an economic crisis.

AFP Commuters walk at the closed Retiro bus terminal in Buenos Aires on June 25, 2018AFP
The Retiro bus terminal remained closed

"The strike does not contribute to anything," said Mr Macri.

"Our economy will start growing again, but for that we need to sit round the table and decide what each one of us has to do," he added.

The unions say they are willing to negotiate.

"There is a new opportunity and I hope the government has understood what today's strike means," said Carlos Acuña, one of the leaders of the General Confederation of Workers.

AFP Demonstrators block the Pan-American highway in Buenos Aires on June 25, 2018, during a 24-hour general strike called by Argentina's unionsAFP
Protesters blocked the Pan-American highway in the outskirts of the capital

Argentina's relationship with the IMF is rocky.

Many blame the international lender for causing tough economic conditions in the country when Argentina defaulted on its debt 17 years ago, says the BBC's Katy Watson.

The unions say the austerity measures demanded by the IMF to agree the loan will bring hardship to the poorest in the country.