Following the delay in submitting the bill, the Argentine government insists its labor reform will not affect acquired rights, countering CGT's accusations of deception over Minister Sturzenegger's remarks. Kirchnerists advance a rival proposal in the Senate as unions plan a December 18 march.
In the latest developments on Javier Milei's labor reform—previously delayed due to the president's travel and CGT negotiations—the government reaffirmed that modifications to 57 articles of the Employment Contract Law and elimination of nine will not be retroactive, preserving 'acquired rights.' This responds to CGT co-leader Cristian Jerónimo's claim that Sturzenegger's statement on applying changes to 'all labor relations' (including a new Labor Assistance Fund) was a 'Freudian slip,' exposing broader scope despite earlier assurances for future contracts only.
The CGT deems the reform 'regressive,' stripping rights without job creation—citing 276,624 jobs lost and 19,164 employer closures since November 2023 per CEPA and SRT data, post-Bases Law changes. They have called a march to Plaza de Mayo on December 18, supported by ATE, CTA, and UOM, but not a general strike.
Opposition kirchnerists in the Senate, led by Mariano Recalde and Vanesa Siley, are preparing an alternative with 'structural changes': minimum wage above the basic basket, uncapped bargaining, cash-only pay, 42-hour workweek, digital disconnection, labor health committees, and 90-day parental leaves. They argue the official plan worsens precariousness amid economic policy failures.
The bill has now entered the Senate via extraordinary sessions through year-end, where its fate hangs amid tensions. Economist Daniel Artana of FIEL cautioned that without modernization, Argentina's stagnant productivity will hinder job growth.
