The House of Representatives is considering a labor bill that would increase working hours, reduce retirement benefits and ease layoffs.
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Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, has been largely paralyzed by strikes, with businesses closing and demonstrators taking to the streets to protest President Javier Millei’s labor reforms.
Thursday’s 24-hour general strike was the fourth of Milais’ term as president, although smaller strikes have been held regularly since she took office in 2023.
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As a result of the protests, the metro in Buenos Aires was closed. The number of buses running has also been reduced. The national carrier, Air Argentina, also expected 255 flights to be canceled and a loss of $300 million. Banks and schools were also closed in solidarity with the strike.
The Confederation of Labor (CGT), one of Argentina’s largest trade unions, called on citizens to demonstrate their opposition to labor reforms “in the streets, in parliament, in the courts and in every workplace.”
“When they attack workers’ rights, they attack the national industry and the future of the country,” the union wrote in a social media post. “Rights are non-negotiable.”
The general strike coincided with a debate on labor reforms in Argentina’s lower house of parliament on Thursday.
Millay, a liberal politician, has called for cutting regulations that he feels are holding back Argentina’s economy, and famously brandished a chainsaw at a rally to demonstrate his hard-line stance.
His right-wing party, La Libertad Avanza, is pushing a labor reform package that critics say will weaken workers’ rights, reduce the number of jobs available and set back the quality of life in the country.
The labor reform bill includes provisions that make it easier for companies to fire employees and reduce severance pay.
It would also extend the standard working day from eight to 12 hours and reduce the right to strike through an expanded definition of essential work.
Millais’s government has argued the move is necessary to boost profitability by attracting foreign investment and eliminating onerous labor restrictions.
The deterioration of the Argentine economy has long been a point of tension in Argentina, and at the time of Millei’s election, inflation was over 200%.
However, Milley has the backing of fellow right-wing leader US President Donald Trump, who was in Washington DC on Thursday for the founding session of the Peace Commission.
Before Argentina’s midterm elections last October, President Trump promised the country a $20 billion currency swap, which was contingent on a positive election result for La Libertad Avança.
Milley’s coalition ultimately won, winning more than 40 percent of the popular vote, more than any other party.
His labor reforms are expected to face stiff opposition in the House of Commons, but analysts say they are likely to pass.
A version of this bill has already passed the Argentine Senate. If the House amends the bill, as expected, the reforms would need to be sent back to the Senate for a final vote.
But the Confederation of Labor argued that the general strike sent an important message to MPs.
“The strike was clear: widespread rejection of labor flexibility laws that we believe are regressive and harmful to Argentina’s working class,” the newspaper said.
The union added: “We firmly oppose any attempt to roll back hard-won rights.”
