Argentinian trade union federation CGT brought public transport and air traffic to a standstill on Thursday in a nationwide general strike protesting against the austerity policies of libertarian President Javier Milei.
With employees unable to reach their workplaces, many shops remained closed. The strike affected banks, supermarkets, schools, universities, transport, waste collection and the postal services.
The government criticized the second general strike in five months. "They should stop being annoying and start working," said Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, calling the industrial action a sign of weakness.
In Buenos Aires, people threw stones at two buses travelling despite the strike.
A taxi driver who was not taking part in the strike said, "If I don't work, I have nothing to eat. I have to work to feed my family," in comments to TN television.
Trains, buses, underground trains and planes are expected to be at a standstill for 24 hours.
Argentina is in the midst of a severe economic crisis. The inflation rate is over 280% and the country is heading for recession.
South America's second-largest economy is suffering from a bloated public sector, low industrial productivity and a large shadow economy that deprives the state of many tax revenues.
Milei, who took office in December, has imposed tough austerity measures on the country and recently cut thousands of government jobs, reduced subsidies and wound up social programmes.
The latest general strike is mainly directed against a labour law reform that is being discussed in the Senate.
