Elio del Re criticizes ultraactividad in labor reform for SMEs

ADIMRA president Elio del Re questioned aspects of Javier Milei's labor reform, particularly ultraactividad for SMEs that creates uncertainty. As the government accelerates Senate negotiations for a February 11 session, labor lawyers reject the bill as unconstitutional. Industrial and legal opposition highlights complexities in the current text.

The president of the Asociación de Industriales Metalúrgicos de la República Argentina (ADIMRA), Elio del Re, expressed disagreement with parts of the labor reform project promoted by President Javier Milei. In statements to Radio con Vos, Del Re stated: “The ultraactividad for SMEs is not the right path”. He argued that this provision, which implies annual expiration of collective agreements, “brings more uncertainty, does not foster investment” and will not create jobs on its own.

Del Re acknowledged the need for updates: “A reform is necessary, it is important that it be done. Our collective agreement is from 1974. The world has changed significantly in these last more than 50 years”. However, he warned that “the reform alone will not bring employment. To have employment we need market, we need to produce more, sell more”. He also pointed to difficulties with the order of prelación, which complicates negotiations for metalworking SMEs against union sections.

Meanwhile, the government convened a political table at Casa Rosada on January 26, 2026, led by Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni, to monitor negotiations. Participants included Karina Milei, ministers such as Diego Santilli and Luis Caputo, and figures like Patricia Bullrich and Martín Menem. The main goal is to approve the reform in extraordinary sessions from February 2 to 27, with a Senate session scheduled for February 11. Technical meetings continue this week, led by Josefina Tajes and Cristian Larsen.

The Asociación de Abogadas y Abogados Laboralistas (AAL), along with the Forum for the Defense of Labor Rights, rejected the project: “Nothing, absolutely nothing in the contents of this legislative treatment project is admissible and compatible with any of the Treaties, ILO International Conventions, and the Argentine National Constitution”. These criticisms highlight tensions in the legislative debate.

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