Cry for me Argentina! Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2000 By MIKE MELIA .c The Associated Press BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas Wednesday at protesters opposed to a labor reform bill, wounding at least 30 people and prompting thousands to pour into the streets in a show of support for demonstrators. In the initial confrontation, involving about 500 people, protesters blocked traffic and waved signs denouncing the proposed legislation. Some smashed windows, burned tires, and prevented firefighters from approaching. Police arrested 49 people, Interior Minister Federico Storani said. At least four policemen were injured as protesters threw rocks and bottles, he said. Local news reports said 30 people were wounded and that 14 of them - including four hit by rubber bullets - were hospitalized. The violence prompted demonstrations by thousands more labor activists and their supporters. The later protests were mostly peaceful. The demonstrations came ahead of a Senate vote on the labor bill, which was approved by the lower house of Congress in February. President Fernando De la Rua says labor reform is a key to revitalizing Argentina's economy. No date for the Senate vote has been scheduled. The government says the legislation will spur job growth and increase competition in the labor market. Opponents say it will make it easier for companies to fire employees, lead to greater unemployment and cause other problems for workers. ``This is going to lower our salaries,'' said one demonstrator, Mario Casteno. In a televised news conference, Storani criticized what he called the ``savage'' methods used by security forces to repel demonstrators, and said a dozen police officers had been removed from duty. ``They deserve the maximum punishment,'' he said. Nonetheless, Storani was quoted by news agency Noticias Argentinas as saying protesters made a ``deliberate attempt'' to block Congress and prevent lawmakers from working. Critics accused the interior minister of using the police as a scapegoat. ``Excess force was used by the police, but it was the interior minister who gave the order,'' charged Humberto Roggero, an opposition Peronist lawmaker. The labor bill would decentralize collective bargaining, extend the probation period of new hires, and lower employer-paid payroll contributions for new workers, among other changes. Such changes are backed by the International Monetary Fund, which considers labor market flexibility crucial for Argentina. De la Rua's administration recently obtained a $7.4 billion standby loan from the IMF.