Argentine footwear producers call for national march

More than 280 footwear manufacturers and business owners in Argentina have announced a national march, tentatively scheduled for October 22, to protest against the economic policies of President Javier Milei.

The industry is facing a severe crisis characterized by a sharp decline in consumption and increased competition from imported goods resulting from market deregulation. Producers report that imported items often arrive highly subsidized, making it impossible for local factories to cover costs such as rent, salaries, services, and taxes.

According to the Unión de Trabajadores de la Industria del Calzado (Uticra), the sector has lost more than 8,000 jobs since Milei took office. This decline is reflected in several plant closures, including Dass in Misiones and Coopershoes and Will Der in Buenos Aires. Data from the Federación de Industrias Textiles Argentinas (FITA) indicates that the integrated textile, leather, and footwear sector lost 1,229 formal jobs in May alone, contributing to a total loss of 16,244 positions compared to the previous year.