The national government, led by Javier Milei, is preparing for the closure of at least five or six state organizations or companies, including the historic Mint, as confirmed by a senior ruling party official. This decision comes after the announced dissolution of Trenes Argentinos Capital Humano (DECAHF), a railway company that did not operate trains, according to presidential spokesperson Javier Adorni.
The closure of the Mint, in charge of printing banknotes, is imminent, as revealed by the official, who announced that the functions of the entity will be put out to tender to private companies. The Mint is a public institution that has operated since 1875, being responsible for the issuance of the national currency, in addition to other products such as postage stamps and tax stamps.
The announcement caused great concern among the company’s workers, as the dismissal of around 1,300 employees is expected, most of them on temporary contracts, a situation similar to that of DECAHF workers. The measure is part of the state reform promoted by the Minister of Deregulation and Transformation of the State, Federico Sturzenegger, who seeks to eliminate what he considers “unnecessary expenses.”
The Buenos Aires Graphic Federation (FGB) union, which represents the Mint workers, has denounced in recent weeks a process of “emptying” the company, arguing that it is semi-paralyzed and is not meeting its objectives. The union criticized that the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA) has carried out private tenders for the provision of banknotes, leaving the Mint out.
The possible closure of this public organization is added to the elimination of the National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism (INADI), among other organizations, within the framework of state restructuring that seeks to reduce public spending. (IPO Agency Santa Cruz)
