Argentina to inspect schools during teachers' strike, citing 'minimum coverage'

Argentina's government is escalating its confrontation with teachers' unions, announcing nationwide inspections to enforce minimum staffing during a planned national strike. The Ministry of Capital Humano declared that education is an essential service, mandating 75% coverage during work stoppages, according to labor reform laws.

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The day Monday, August 3rd, the supervision of compliance with Law No. 27.802 will be carried out, which in its article 101 establishes education as an essential service, within the framework of the attributions of the Secretariat of Labor, Employment and Social Security.

The ministry stated it will conduct sample inspections on August 3rd to verify compliance with the law. "In the event of verification of non-compliance with this regulation, protocols will be activated to apply the corresponding sanctions," the ministry warned in a statement. This action comes as the teachers' union Ctera announced a national strike to coincide with the restart of classes after winter holidays in Buenos Aires.

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For this, a sample inspection will be developed in schools throughout the country to verify that the union entities calling for the national strike respect the compliance of 75% of the usual provision of educational services.

Ctera cited the government's "permanent refusal to convene national teacher negotiations" as the reason for the strike. The union is demanding an urgent national negotiation, salary increases, the immediate restoration and payment of the Teaching Incentive Fund (Fonid), and the enactment of a new educational financing law. The government, however, maintained its firm stance, emphasizing that school management is primarily the responsibility of local jurisdictions while the national government guarantees the right to education.

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In the event of verification of non-compliance with this regulation, protocols will be activated to apply the corresponding sanctions.