Updated at 4:30 p.m.

Doctors and staff at Garrahan Hospital — Argentina’s largest high-complexity pediatric medical center — have rejected the pay agreement their employer agreed with the Argentine government, saying they were not consulted with an “official offer” in their ongoing salary dispute.

Health Minister Mario Lugones said in a post on X that the raise will be formally informed to the workers on Monday via the internal communications system because administrative employees are “not available” on Sundays.

Earlier this week, workers from the Garrahan Hospital once again conducted a strike after their salaries were in effect frozen. Salaries have increased this year by 1.2 to 1.4% a month since January, and inflation during those months ranged from 2.2% to 3.7%. 

On Sunday, Garrahan Hospital sent a communiqué on social media platform X with a salary increase of approximately 30% for its resident physicians. “The hospital’s residents will be granted a raise that will increase their income to around AR$1,300,000 (US$1,100) starting July 1.” 

The communiqué claimed that the Garrahan and other hospitals had been used as an “activism platform” and that they are eliminating “superfluous expenditures.” They will also implement a biometric system to ensure all workers attend the hospital.

“Garrahan will no longer be a refuge for slackers, and anyone who does not show up for work will be fired. This administration rewards effort, not political affiliation. Those who don’t attend, are out.”

The Health Ministry currently pays residents AR$797,000 (US$675) a month. The hospital also gives them a AR$200 bonus (US$169) on top of that, to which it will now add AR$300,000 extra starting in July. A government source told the Herald that bonuses set as part of the new salary measures announced today will continue to be “sustained” in the months to come.

The Internal Board of ATE Garrahan, the union at the forefront of last week’s strikes, pointed out in a communiqué that the announcement excludes “more than 90% of the people who work at the hospital.” They have called for another strike to take place on Tuesday 3 June.

“Although the decision regarding this increase falls to the residents’ assembly, because the amount is still far from what they demanded, it is clear that this is a step backward on the part of the government,” the union said. “Very recently, they attempted to outlaw strikes by decree. Just a few days later, an indefinite strike puts them on the ropes, and they must announce concessions.”

“The statement seeks to dismiss the rest of the workers who are essential to the operation of Garrahan,” they added.

The Garrahan Residents Assembly also said in a statement that they “did not receive any salary increase offer” from the Health Ministry. “We are healthcare professionals that want to work with a dignified salary. Our demands do not respond to any political interests.”