Argentina faced this Thursday the fourth general strike of Javier Milei’s government, which had repercussions inside and outside the country. Flights were cancelled, public transport was paralyzed and the streets were taken over by protesters in reaction to the labor reform that extends working hours to up to 12 hours and restricts rights. The 24-hour strike began at midnight on the same day that the debate on the project took place in the Chamber of Deputies, after approval in the Senate last week.
Called by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), the strike was considered “very significant” by the union federation, which estimates participation at around 90%. The strategy was to empty the main urban centers, with initial support from passenger transport unions, as well as port, banking, commerce and public sector workers. In total, 13 unions participate in the movement.
The impact was immediate on aviation. Aerolíneas Argentinas reported the cancellation of 255 flights, affecting around 31 thousand passengers and with an estimated economic impact of US$3 million. In Brazil, at least 62 flights were suspended between arrivals and departures at the airports of Galeão, in Rio, and Guarulhos, in São Paulo.
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In addition to airports, the strike paralyzed trains and subways, closed banks and reduced commercial and productive activity. Professional Football League games were also suspended. Some specific sectors and self-employed workers maintained activities, and few bus lines continued to operate.
Reform at the heart of the conflict
The project under discussion foresees, among other points, a reduction in compensation, relaxation of hiring rules, changes to the vacation system, the possibility of paying salaries in foreign currency, an extension of the standard working day from eight to 12 hours and limiting the right to strike. The changes mobilized thousands of people in the vicinity of Congress, where the session is expected to continue into the early hours of the morning.
“We want to tell the government that the people voted for their rights not to be taken away,” said Cristian Jerónimo, co-leader of the CGT, when announcing the strike.
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“This strike had a huge turnout, with more than 90% of activity paralyzed. I find it difficult to call modernization something that takes us back 100 years,” said Jorge Sola, general secretary of the Insurance Union, at a press conference.
According to Sola, membership reflects “a disruption of the social and productive fabric”. He warned that, if the reform becomes law, the conflict is likely to intensify.
“Force measures will continue to increase because the project does not strengthen workers’ rights,” he stated.
The strike occurs amid signs of a slowdown in industrial activity. Union sources point to the closure of around 21 thousand companies and the loss of approximately 300 thousand jobs since December 2023. The most recent case is that of Fate, the country’s main tire manufacturer, which announced the closure of its factory in Buenos Aires and the dismissal of more than 900 workers, citing loss of competitiveness with the opening of imports.
Clashes in Buenos Aires
There were clashes between police and protesters around Congress. After an initially peaceful act, bottles and stones were thrown at the police cordon, who responded with water cannons and tear gas. The incidents were brief, and dozens of protesters and police remained at a distance into the late afternoon.
Last week, another demonstration against the reform ended with violence and around 30 arrests. The government minimized the effects of the strike and criticized union actions.
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“The strike is quite perverse because it cuts off the means of transport and prevents those who want to work”, said the Chief of Staff, Manuel Adorni. According to him, unions have high popular rejection.
President Milei was not in the country during the strike. He participated, in Washington, in events linked to the Peace Council launched by Donald Trump. At the same time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed support for the reform, asking the government to “mitigate the transition costs” associated with economic opening.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Deputies continues debating the project, which, if approved, will return to the Senate for sanction. The CGT states that it will maintain mobilization if the proposal moves forward.
