Argentine road unions protest against staff cuts and calls to abolish Vialidad

Labor unions in Argentina are raising alarms regarding the future of the National Road Directorate (Vialidad Nacional). Soledad García, a representative of the National Road Directorate Union in Chubut, reported that 609 workers have been lost nationwide, including seven in Chubut. García expressed concern over a rumored voluntary retirement program, describing it as a form of “psychological persecution” following failed attempts to dismantle the agency last year.

Union leaders also highlighted a lack of funding for essential road maintenance. They claim that fuel tax revenues, which are legally mandated for road repairs, have been diverted for the past two years rather than being reinvested into infrastructure. This lack of maintenance is cited as a factor increasing road accidents.

In Entre Ríos, the Soever union issued a strong rebuttal to statements made by Héctor Reniero, president of the Chajarí Rural Society, who suggested that Vialidad should be abolished. The union argued that the agency is a strategic tool for provincial development and that the solution to current infrastructure issues is to invest in machinery, equipment, and personnel rather than eliminating the institution.