Argentines protest against cancelation of benefits for disabled

Hundreds gathered in downtown Buenos Aires on Thursday (June 15) after the Argentine government announced cuts to pensions that could affect citizens living with disabilities. Photo grabbed from Reuters video file.
Downtown Buenos Aires on Thursday (June 15) (from Reuters video file)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) – Hundreds gathered in downtown Buenos Aires on Thursday (June 15) after the Argentine government announced cuts to pensions that could affect citizens living with disabilities.

Conservative President Mauricio Macri is looking to trim government debt and spending.

But protesters say any austerity measures that target citizens with disabilities go too far.

According to the government, 70,000 people receiving the disability pension have been affected after they missed this month’s welfare payment.

The move has garnered widespread public flak from the government.

However, on Thursday (June 15) the government also announced it will not take away pensions from people with disabilities, describing the move as “an error.”