Building on assurances that changes won't affect acquired rights, Argentina's government detailed its labor reform adjustments to vacations, salaries, overtime, and indemnities. Secretary Maximiliano Fariña called it an update to an outdated law. Unions, including CGT and ATE, are escalating with a December 18 march and strike.
Following yesterday's government reaffirmation that Javier Milei's labor reform—modifying 57 articles of the Employment Contract Law and more—will not be retroactive and preserves acquired rights, Secretary of State Transformation Maximiliano Fariña provided further details to TN. The 109-provision bill, now in the Senate, adapts 'a quite ancient law' without touching fundamental rights, prioritizing individual autonomy, flexibilizing contracts, collective bargaining, and including platform workers.
Fariña highlighted changes to vacations, salaries, overtime, and indemnities. The ruling party aims for swift Senate approval alongside the 2026 Budget, despite hurdles and Kirchnerist calls for deeper debate from Senator Mariano Recalde. Experts warn of potential judicial challenges.
Opposition to the reform intensifies: CGT, ATE, and CTAs have called a march to Plaza de Mayo on December 18 at 3 PM, with ATE announcing a national strike, demanding reopened wage talks and rejecting budget cuts. ATE's Rodolfo Aguiar urged action against governors.
Economically, the Executive projects a 0.5% GDP revenue loss (about US$3,500 million annually without growth), offset by hoped-for gains in labor formality. Both sides anticipate court battles over legality.
