AMERICA/ARGENTINA - Social Week: the poor must not pay the price of adjustment policies

Monday, 25 June 2018 democracy social situation poverty politics economy

cepas

ARGENTINA

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Mar del Plata (Agenzia Fides) - The "2018 Social Week", a training and reflection meeting organized by the Episcopal Commission for Social Pastoral Care (CEPAS), ended this year in Argentina. The initiatives took place from 22 to 24 June, bringing together a large number of participants.
The concluding document, read by the Bishop of Avellaneda-Lanus and member of Cepas, Mgr. Oscar Frassia, recalls the responsibility of democratic institutions "in policies that promote inclusion, employment and protection". "Poverty was emphasized during the debate, during which it was also requested that adjustment policies should not be practiced on the poor", says the final text.
Bishops, politicians, trade unions, entrepreneurs and social movements have agreed on the need for "a more equitable distribution of wealth" and on the application of "new ethical standards on the financial system, in light of the recent Vatican document 'Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quaestiones' (Considerations for an ethical discernment about some aspects of the current economic-financial system)". "As Argentineans, we are called to strengthen democracy as the only way to pay the debt with the poor and the marginalized in our country", concluded the participants.
According to Fides sources, the social event ended in a moment of strong tension between social movements and government. Today, in fact, the "Paro General" (general strike) takes place in the country: unions and workers protest for the continuous increase in the cost of living in Argentina. The government's economic measures have created the discontent and protest of the population, which has seen the price of petrol, the dollar and the main household consumer goods rise. Transport, banks, schools and the main service centers will remain closed. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 25/06/2018)