Published February 12, 2026
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires to protest labor reforms that would limit the right to strike and reduce employment benefits.
Wednesday’s demonstrations occurred as the Senate was considering a bill supported by Liberal President Javier Millay.
The reforms are seen as an attempt to curb the power of organized labor. Millais, however, insisted that reforms were essential to realizing his vision of a free market economy without burdensome regulations.
However, on Wednesday, unions demonstrated in large numbers to oppose the bill.
The resulting demonstrations led to clashes with police in central Buenos Aires. Security forces fired water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas, and some demonstrators threw petrol bombs, stones and water bottles.
In a statement, the Confederation of Labor, a trade union federation that helped organize the demonstrations, denounced the reforms as an attack on workers’ rights.
This reform will make it easier for companies to fire employees and reduce severance benefits. It would also limit the ability of trade unions to participate in collective bargaining.
“This is not modernization. This is austerity for workers,” the federation said.
But Millais’ government insists changes are needed to attract investment.
Sen. Patricia Brulich, a former security minister in Millais’ government, said Argentina’s labor and employment market is an “unbalanced” system plagued by “extreme judicialization.”
Millay was a dark horse in Argentina’s 2023 presidential election. However, in the face of accelerating inflation and economic stagnation, he achieved victory over the dominant left-wing Peronist movement.
He often campaigned with a chainsaw, symbolizing his desire to reduce government spending and eliminate regulation. Since he took office, there has been a rapid reversal of austerity measures that critics say are deepening poverty among Argentina’s lowest income groups.
