The Chamber of Deputies approved Javier Milei's labor reform with 135 affirmative votes and 115 negative ones, in a session marked by tensions and an incident involving Deputy Florencia Carignano. The bill, which includes changes to indemnities and contracts, returns to the Senate for final approval on February 27 after the removal of the article on medical leaves. The ruling party celebrated the progress as a step toward labor modernization.
The session in the Chamber of Deputies on February 20, 2026, ended with the approval of the labor reform promoted by Javier Milei's government. The bill received 135 votes in favor and 115 against, with no abstentions, around 00:30. A key modification was the removal of Article 44, which reduced pay for non-work-related medical leaves, requiring a new debate in the Senate on Friday, February 27.
During the debate, a scandal erupted when Kirchnerist Deputy Florencia Carignano disconnected cables from the taquigraphers' equipment, amid opposition protests over the hand-raised vote. The La Libertad Avanza bloc, led by Gabriel Bornoroni, requested her suspension and expulsion for 'illegal sabotage acts', authorizing a criminal complaint for offenses against public powers. Chamber President Martín Menem called the incident a 'papelón' and did not rule out stripping her immunity, while Lilia Lemoine recorded and shared the moment.
The government, via the President's Office, celebrated the approval as an effort to consolidate macroeconomic stability and reduce labor litigation. Interior Minister Diego Santilli stated: 'They tried everything. With molotovs, stones, disconnecting microphones, and threatening workers. THEY COULDN'T'. In the market, the S&P Merval rose 1%, and the country risk fell to 519 points, reflecting optimism from the reform and January's trade surplus.
In the Senate, Patricia Bullrich asserted that the country 'needs to create more companies and for that there must be fewer burdens'. The opposition, like Florencia López, denounced SME closures and layoffs, warning: 'The people will wake up and helicopters won't be enough'. The Senate committees issued a favorable report that same day.
