The government of Javier Milei, through the Ministry of Health, has announced the continuation of the wave of layoffs, this time affecting about 200 employees of PAMI. The measure was requested by the Minister of Health and implemented by the authorities of PAMI.
Ramón Farías, a member of the National Council and National Coordinator of ATE PAMI, expressed his concern about the situation, pointing out that these are dismissals without cause, affecting employees with significant seniority. Among those laid off are anesthetists and doctors from PAMI 2, which has led to the immediate suspension of surgeries. Additionally, more layoffs are reported in towns like Las Parejas and Villa Constitución.
The ATE union has called for national alert, holding assemblies to denounce these layoffs as part of a systematic dismantling process of public agencies by the Government. They have also expressed their commitment to defend affected workers by demanding their immediate reinstatement and the cessation of austerity policies that undermine employment.
At the central headquarters of PAMI in CABA, workers were notified of their layoffs when attempting to register their entry, encountering a failure in the system. Although the layoff notices did not arrive, the Ministry of Health had previously announced the possibility of more layoffs in the sector. ATE declared itself on alert and convened assemblies in various offices.
According to ATE, these layoffs mark the beginning of an austerity plan amid negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, where Argentina is seeking an 11 billion dollar loan in exchange for austerity measures. The reduction of services in PAMI and the layoffs of workers are worrying signs for the care of retirees, putting the quality of social security services at risk.
