Argentine Senate poised for labor reform vote amid CGT union protests, government optimistic despite opposition.
Argentine Senate poised for labor reform vote amid CGT union protests, government optimistic despite opposition.
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Government confident ahead of labor reform Senate debate amid union opposition

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Javier Milei's government expresses optimism for half sanction on its labor reform in the Senate this Wednesday (Feb 11), led by Patricia Bullrich's negotiations. Building on recent bloc strengthening, the initiative faces strong union backlash, including a CGT march, as the ruling party eyes modifications for passage.

Following Senator Pablo Cervi's recent affiliation to La Libertad Avanza—which bolstered the official bloc to 20—Argentina's Senate debates Javier Milei's labor reform this Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interior Minister Diego Santilli voiced confidence in Upper House approval, stating 'it is important that the law comes out.' Bullrich, head of the ruling bloc, confirmed a 'solid agreement' to protect key articles on dismissals, ultraactividad, and collective agreements, tweeting: 'Either we modernize or we stay just as bad' to attract investment and jobs.

The government believes it has votes for both general and particular debates, despite fiscal tensions like income tax reductions impacting provinces. Unions fiercely oppose the bill: UOCRA's Gerardo Martínez labeled it 'antisindical,' arguing it fails to address 46% informality and 60,000 lost jobs from halted works, while aiming to dismantle union models and rights like ultraactividad and solidarity contributions. The CGT plans a massive march, prompting the Security Ministry to enforce the anti-pickets protocol.

While the ruling coalition views the reform as opportunity-creating, unions see it as ideological, linked to Milei's Trump ties. Negotiations continue amid extraordinary sessions.

What people are saying

On X, supporters of Milei's government express optimism about securing enough votes for half sanction of the labor reform in the Senate on February 11, crediting Bullrich's negotiations, while unions like CGT and left-wing politicians strongly oppose it as anti-worker and precarizing, planning marches and strikes. Banks voice concerns over specific provisions, highlighting negotiation tensions.

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Violent CGT protests outside Argentine Congress: clashes with police involving molotovs, arrests, and injuries during Senate labor reform debate.
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Argentine Senate debates labor reform amid violent protests

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Argentina's Senate began debating the labor reform bill pushed by Javier Milei's government on Wednesday, with the ruling party claiming sufficient votes after 28 modifications agreed with the opposition. Outside Congress, a CGT march against the bill turned into clashes with police, involving molotov cocktails, at least 14 arrests, and 15 injuries. Senators from various blocs voiced criticisms and defenses during the session.

Javier Milei's government is pushing for approval of its labor reform in the Senate by early February, convening opposition leaders. Meanwhile, Salta Governor Gustavo Sáenz warns of fiscal impacts on provinces, and Peronism presents an alternative project without a unified stance.

Reported by AI

Javier Milei's government-backed labor reform passed half-sanction in the Senate with 42 votes in favor and 30 against, now heading to the Chamber of Deputies amid union opposition. The CGT will meet on Monday to consider a 24-hour general strike during the debate, as unions like UOM demand mobilizations. In the economic context, 22,000 companies have closed and 290,000 jobs lost in two years.

Unión por la Patria presented a counter-labor reform project in the Chamber of Deputies to protect labor rights and regulate platform work. This initiative differs from the Government's modernization plan, which is progressing in the Senate but faces hurdles in Deputies. The Peronist project expands maternity and paternity leaves amid extraordinary Congress sessions until late February.

Reported by AI

A trade union front, including ATE, UOM and other unions, announced marches on February 5 in Córdoba and February 10 in Rosario to reject the Government's labor reform. Though without the organic support of the CGT, the groups aim to pressure provincial governors and warn of future strikes in Congress. Rodolfo Aguiar of ATE stated that 'the Government has to start worrying'.

The General Confederation of Labor (CGT) filed a judicial injunction against the labor reform promulgated on Friday by the Executive Power, numbered 27.802. The lawsuit, assigned to Judge Enrique Lavié Pico, seeks to declare null articles transferring labor competencies to the City of Buenos Aires. The labor federation plans another action in the labor court.

Reported by AI

Argentine Senator Luis Juez has formally joined the La Libertad Avanza bloc in the Senate, bolstering Javier Milei's officialism ahead of the labor reform vote scheduled for Friday. The move brings the bloc to 21 senators and, with allies, reaches 44 out of 72 votes. Juez aims for the Córdoba governorship in 2027 and praised the president's moderation.

 

 

 

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