Argentina's President Milei lays off over 5,000 government workers

Argentina's new president Javier Milei announced Tuesday that the government will not renew the contracts of over 5,000 employees that were hired in 2023 before he was sworn in. 

“The goal is (to) start on the road to rebuilding our country, return freedom and autonomy to individuals and start to transform the enormous amount of regulations that have blocked, stalled and stopped economic growth,” Milei said, according to Politico. 

These cuts have already caused protests in the country, but Milei is still pressing forward with them.

Authorities have said that government workers who were hired prior to 2023 will have their contracts reviewed. 

Milei was the populist candidate in Argentina who won the presidential election this year, promising to shrink government spending amid the country's stagnating inflation. 

On his first day in office, Milei cut down the number of ministries from 18 to nine. 

Ministries that were cut or consolidated include those dealing with social development, education, and women, gender, and diversity.