The CGT (General Confederation of Labor), the largest union center in Argentina, announced this Monday (16) that it will carry out a 24-hour national strike in protest against President Javier Milei’s proposed labor reform.
The strike, which will not include any type of mobilization, will come into force as soon as the Chamber of Deputies begins debating the labor reform project, informed the CGT. The debate is expected to take place before the end of February.
Last Thursday, after the governing party negotiated a series of changes to the original text, through which the government seeks to promote investments and formal jobs.
The measure is contested by the Peronist opposition, which argues that it violates workers’ rights.
The groups argue that the reform restricts their authority in labor disputes, forcing them to request permission to hold meetings, according to Rodolfo Aguiar, president of ATE (State Workers’ Association).
The project is at the center of the Argentine president’s strategy to attract investment and reactivate the country’s growth. The government defends the initiative as a “labor modernization” plan that aims to expand formal employment in an economy where more than 40% of workers are not registered.
The reforms could also require between 50% and 75% of services to continue operating during a strike for some sectors classified as essential, he said. “The strike loses all effectiveness”, added the union leader.
Argentine unions have a long history of disrupting transportation, blocking ports and closing key logistics corridors during labor conflicts, strike power that can quickly paralyze trade flows in one of the world’s biggest food exporters.
“If our demands are not met, we do not rule out an escalation of the conflict,” said Cristian Jerónimo, leader of the CGT labor federation.
The bill would also allow some overtime to be compensated with days off rather than extra pay. The government has not publicly released figures estimating the overall savings from the reforms.
