Fernando Espinoza calls for urgent wage increases in Buenos Aires

Fernando Espinoza, president of the Argentine Federation of Municipalities and mayor of La Matanza, has called for an urgent wage shock to support households following a tour of the Buenos Aires province interior. During visits to San Pedro, Ramallo, and San Nicolás, Espinoza reported a significant decline in consumption and a sharp rise in utility costs.

In San Pedro, Espinoza noted decreased profitability for citrus and nursery producers due to rising costs for electricity, gas, and diesel. He also reported that demand at a local community soup kitchen had increased by more than 100 percent. In Ramallo, he met with retirees who described a generalized deterioration in their quality of life.

In San Nicolás, Espinoza highlighted that despite high visitor numbers during religious festivities, sales dropped by over 60 percent. He attributed these economic difficulties to the current national government's policies, specifically citing the loss of gas subsidies and the impact of rising utility rates on regional economies.