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.
The labor reform, approved in the Senate on Wednesday with 42 votes in favor and 30 against, aims to modernize a system leaving 43% of workers in informality, according to Patricia Bullrich, who stated it 'modernizes a system that had 43% of workers in informality' and leaves millions without social security, vacations, or rights. The Government, via La Libertad Avanza, maintains it 'does not eliminate rights or indemnities' and ends an archaic system over 50 years old.
Opposition hardens its stance: Deputy Myriam Bregman of the Left Front called to 'organize a great national strike and popular rebellion' against this 'slave-like reform' that intensifies capitalist exploitation. Kelly Olmos of Unión por la Patria plans modifications in Deputies on health, FAL, and collective agreements, criticizing it compensates competitiveness loss with 'more labor exploitation'.
The CGT urgently convened its Executive Council for Monday to analyze a general strike on the day of the Deputies debate, driven by pressures from unions like UOM and oil workers. UOM's general secretary Abel Furlán urged a strike with mobilization on February 19, questioning changes to collective agreements, strike rights, and sick leave that reduce salaries up to 50% in non-severe cases.
In the economic backdrop, Superintendencia de Riesgos del Trabajo data shows 21,938 companies closed from November 2023 to 2025, with 290,602 jobs lost, especially in construction. Economist Roberto Cachanosky warns of 'inflation with stagnation', with inflation rising to 3% in January and flat economic activity, plus 196,000 formal private sector jobs lost.
