Moyano unionists blast Wage Council; call it a 'pantomime'

CGT labour umbrella union member Julio Piumato, head of the court workers union, criticized today the Wage Council to be held this afternoon at the Labour Ministry, labelling it a “pantomime” and said that the Government had already defined the minimum wage rate.

The statements were made by Piumato in a radio interview this morning, where he put across the fact that “it would have been better for the President to pass by decree” the minimum wage,” which is expected to be fixed today at a rate of AR$2,900 pesos per month.

The court workers’ head showed his support for the CGT umbrella union’s secretary-general Hugo Moyano, who made it clear that he was not to be present at the meeting today and also highlighted that the CGT’s minimum wage demand was at $3,500 pesos.

Labour Ministry officials, representatives of organized labour and employers associations will meet today in order to set the new minimum wage scale and discuss other labour issues.

Labour Minister Carlos Tomada will preside over today’s Minimum, Vital and Mobile Wage council, which will begin at 5 pm today. The minister previously stated that the Council "shall have no ceiling" for setting up the new minimum wage scale.