Interview with Macarena Grimalt Fernandes, Argentinian trade unionist

Earlier this month there were giant protests across Argentina following the attempts by the country's new president, Javier Gerardo Milei, to impose his dystopian vision on the country.  Milei's government is cracking down on workers' rights, downsizing and privatising much of the public sector, and triggering a huge increase in unemployment and poverty -- especially child poverty.  This statement by the International Trade Union Confederation paints a bleak picture of Argentina under Milei.

This week, we spoke with Macarena Grimalt Fernandes, the international secretary of APOC (La Asociación del Personal de los Organismos de Control), which is affiliated to Public Services International (PSI).  Macarena explained the proposed new legislation -- which has not yet passed -- and how unions across Argentina have united to fight it.  When asked to tell us about international solidarity, she talked about the demonstrations that took place in Latin America and elsewhere at the same time as the protests in Argentina.  

When asked if she was optimistic or pessimistic about her country's future, Macarena insisted she needed to be an optimist -- otherwise she'd never get out of bed in the morning.  That's a sentiment that we can all understand.