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The Government increased the budget for universities by 70% just hours before the national strike began - Infobae
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El Gobierno aumentó un 70% el presupuesto para universidades a horas de iniciarse el paro nacional
La decisión tiene como objetivo que las instituciones puedan afrontar la suba de las tarifas de los servicios de electricidad y gas, así como también puedan hacer frente a los costos en los insumos de mantenimiento
www.infobae.com
March 14, 2024
The objective of the decision is for institutions to be able to face the increase in the rates of electricity and gas services, as well as to be able to face the costs of maintenance supplies.
Universities complain about the lack of budget to cover operating expenses (Photo: Grosby)
The Ministry of Human Capital confirmed a 70 percent increase in budget allocations allocated to universities . The news was announced hours before the strike of teachers and non-teachers from the 55 national higher education institutions, in rejection of the budget freeze and the drop in salaries.
The portfolio headed by Sandra Pettovello reported that the increase is designed so that the institutions can cover the costs of operating the universities. In that sense, as Infobae learned , the measure was promoted by the Ministry of Education , through the Undersecretary of University Policies , so that institutions can face the increase in rates for electricity, gas and input services. of maintenance.
This was one of the main requests made by the rectors of public universities at the end of February, who warned that starting in mid-March the universities would face several difficulties in covering operating expenses after classes begin. Even this week a meeting was held between the authorities of the National Interuniversity Council (Carlos Greco, from the National University of San Martín, and Víctor Moriñigo, from the National University of San Luis) and the rector of the UBA, Ricardo Gelpi , in which they agreed to "insist with the request for a meeting with the Minister of Human Capital of the Nation and possible presentations before the Judicial and Legislative Branches."
The decision was made public before the measure of force of workers in institutions across the country begins. This strike has the support of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and the Central Workers of Argentina (CTA) , whose representatives were present at the press conference in which the union decision was announced. However, it is still unknown if the measure continues.
The main complaint that motivated this action is the lack of budget for the universities and the drop in salaries. Although in February the Government gave a 16% increase for university staff, the University Union Front (FSU) – which brings together Conadu, Conadu Historica, FEDUN, CTERA, FAGDUT, FATUN and UDA – explained that 10 points They corresponded to what was agreed in the 2023 joint meeting, in contrast to an accumulated inflation of 51.3% between December and January – which with the February data reaches 71.3% in three months. In this context, the unions rejected the initial proposal and demanded “a salary offer that recovers purchasing power.”
The strike announced by the University Trade Union Front was supported by the CGT and the two CTAs in a joint conference. Photo: CTA Press
In the event that the force measure continues today, some universities will close their doors and pre-university schools will also be affected. In turn, the Superior Council of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) ordered “the closure of those buildings and facilities in which the minimum operating conditions cannot be guaranteed on that date,” and anticipated that all academic and administrative activities that are affected will be rescheduled.
Regarding the current situation that universities and their workers are going through, the vice-rector of the UBA, Emiliano Yacobitti , indicated in a dialogue with Infobae that salaries have fallen by a third since Javier Milei took office . For example, the lowest category charges around 400 thousand pesos. In this way, he also explained that “the Government sent (nominally) less money than last year.” As he explained, with that budget “you cannot pay for suppliers and basic elements.” In that sense, the vice-rector called on the Government to "reflect" on the cuts in public education since, otherwise, "they will lead the UBA to a situation of closure." In this regard, FSU claimed that since December, workers have lost 50 percent of their salary.
