The new strike is organized by the United Trade Union Front (FreSU), which brings together more than 100 unions
Argentina faces a new general strike this Friday, 27th, amid the start of voting on the labor reform proposed by President Javier Milei in the Senate. The project was approved in the Chamber of Deputies in the early hours of last Friday, the 20th, one day after another general strike in the country.
The new strike is organized by the United Trade Union Front (FreSU), which brings together more than 100 unionsincluding the State Workers’ Association, the Metalworkers’ Union and the Oil Workers’ Union.
The protest, expected to last 24 hours, began at midnight this Friday. According to the organizing entities, from this time onwards, only the minimum number of employees is guaranteed in hospitals, as well as exclusively medical and state flights operated by the National Civil Aviation Administration. Dozens of services will be affected, including garbage collection, municipal police and traffic agents.
Protesters should gather from 10 am on Avenida de Mayo, one of the main roads in Buenos Aires, and continue marching towards Congress.
Unlike the strike on February 20, the new strike does not have the support of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), the largest and most influential union center in the country. Instead of calling for street demonstrations, the entity chose to wait for the result of the vote in the Senate and, if the proposal is approved, appeal to the courts.
The Argentine government states that labor reform is essential to reduce informality – which affects more than 40% of the country’s job market – and stimulate job creation by reducing tax burdens for employers. The CGT, in turn, argues that the changes provided for in the text are unconstitutional.
Among the main points under discussion is the extension of the working day. Currently, the limit is eight hours a day and 48 hours a week. If the project is approved, the daily working day could reach up to 12 hours, as long as a minimum rest period of 12 hours is respected.
The proposal also provides that overtime can be compensated with days off, instead of payment in cash, as long as there is an agreement between workers and employers. Today, this model is not provided for in general legislation, which determines remuneration for overtime with additional salary.
To be approved in the Chamber, by 135 votes in favor and 115 against, the text underwent around 30 changes, including the removal of articles that authorized the payment of salaries in foreign currency and changes to the rules for medical leave. The proposal had already been approved in the Senate, but, as it has undergone changes, it will need to be analyzed again by the senators.
Reduction of the age of criminal responsibility
In addition to labor reform, the The Senate is expected to discuss reducing the age of criminal responsibility this Friday from 16 to 14 years old. The project was approved in the Chamber at the beginning of the month, with 149 votes in favor and 100 against.
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