One of Argentina's most powerful unions, the General Workers Confederation (CGT), has called a national strike.

Last week, CGT leader Hugo Moyano called off a previous strike after securing a pay increase, but on Wednesday large sectors of Argentina will come to a standstill as the new strike will affect transport fuel, food, cash and other goods.

The CGT is the most powerful labour federation in the country, and the powerbase of the governing Peronist Party.

High inflation, estimated at 25 per cent a year, has increased social unrest as people are calling for tax cuts and salary increases. 

Officials fear the nationwide strike action will paralyse the nation, and government supporters say Moyano’s move is political, as the union leader and his family are currently under investigation over corruption charges.

Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo reports from Buenos Aires.