Workers of CONICET protest against a decree from the government of Javier Milei that proposes merging or eliminating 50 state agencies. Among them is CONICET, a public scientific entity recognized at a continental and global level, which the Milei government considers an additional expense that aims to be "saved" in order to allocate funds for paying off debt with the International Monetary Fund.
Gonzalo Saenz Cerbino, deputy secretary of ATE CONICET Capital Federal, expressed his concern over the lack of response to his request for a meeting with director Daniel Salamone. Workers are anxious due to rumors of a decree that could impact the operation of state agencies, including CONICET, INTA, and INTI.
From ATE CONICET Capital, they requested detailed information from Daniel Salamone regarding the possible consequences of the announced decree amidst layoffs, cuts in scholarships, and frozen income within the agency. Workers are on alert due to the lack of statement from Salamone on the measures proposed by the Milei government.
A meeting between Salamone and the Minister of State Deregulation, Federico Sturzenegger, is mentioned, where the controversial topic of budget cuts and the restructuring of CONICET may have been discussed. Given the uncertainty, ATE reiterates its request for an urgent meeting to clarify the measures planned for the agency. Workers have planned a mobilization for February 19 in rejection of possible mergers and dissolutions of state agencies, including CONICET, decided during an assembly at the Scientific Pole facilities.
