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Mass demonstration shuts down Argentinian oil city

Saturday, 7 May 2016 14:31:43

Oil and gas union workers protest against layoffs in Comodoro Rivadavia. (AFP: Telam: Francisco Munoz)

More than 50,000 workers have blocked the centre of a city in Argentina's main oil-producing region in a protest against layoffs.

Striking oil workers were joined by teachers, truck drivers, builders and other sectors in the demonstration in the southern city of Comodoro Rivadavia.

It was the latest of numerous street protests against cutbacks imposed by conservative President Mauricio Macri since he took office in December.

The city of 200,000 people in the Patagonia region lies in a major oil and gas producing area and is also home to fishing and livestock industries.

Television pictures showed protesters occupying a major highway in their cars and trucks, waving flags and banners.

After 12 years of leftist government, Mr Macri has opened up Argentina's economy to outside markets and cut jobs in the public sector.

He has devalued Argentina's currency and raised the prices of utilities and fuel.

Mr Macri's opponents say his reforms are hurting poorer families' spending power and destroying private sector jobs.

"There are companies that are closing after 30 or 40 years; there are layoffs happening every day," the city's mayor, Carlos Linares, told local media.

He estimated that 50,000 people joined the protest.

Unions are demanding the President bring down the soaring rate of inflation, which has driven up the price of food and is forecast to hit 36 per cent this year.

AFP

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