Buenos Aires, 9 May 2024 (dpa/MIA) — The major trade unions in Argentina have called for a general strike on Thursday, for the second time in just five months.

With the strike they want to protest against the harsh austerity policy of the ultra-liberal President Javier Milei.

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 state apparatus, low industrial productivity and a large shadow economy that deprives the state of many tax revenues.

Milei has imposed tough austerity measures on the country and recently cut thousands of jobs in the public sector, reduced subsidies and wound up social programmes.

The latest general strike is directed against a labour law reform that is currently being discussed in the Senate.