Following earlier delays in submitting Javier Milei's government's Labor Modernization bill to Congress, the officialism in the Argentine Senate secured a committee report but postponed plenary debate to February 10, 2026, to incorporate opposition and CGT-proposed changes, coinciding with a massive anti-reform march in Plaza de Mayo.
On December 18, 2025, Patricia Bullrich, head of the La Libertad Avanza bloc in the Senate, confirmed the Labor Modernization project received a report from the Labor and Budget committees. However, its debate was rescheduled from December 26 to February 10, 2026, during extraordinary sessions, to address modifications requested by the CGT and opposition groups like Unión por la Patria.
This came amid a major CGT-called mobilization in Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires, joined by the CTA and social organizations. Thousands protested the 'antisindical' reforms as unconstitutional. CGT leader Octavio Argüello warned: 'We say no to this surrendering labor reform. If they don't listen, we'll call a national strike.' Minor clashes occurred on Avenida 9 de Julio as protesters attempted to block the avenue under the anti-picketing protocol.
Bullrich stated: 'We have the supports... If we have the report, we have the votes,' noting the delay avoids fiscal impacts post-2026 Budget approval. Critics, including CGT lawyer Pablo Topet, argued it undermines union freedom via collective compensations. Labor Secretary Julio Cordero countered that it targets new jobs and remains 'balanced.'
Protests also hit northern provinces like Tucumán, Catamarca, and La Rioja against precarization. Kirchnerist senator José Mayans challenged committee leadership and threatened legal action. Bullrich urged peaceful protests, with over 1,500 security personnel deployed.
