Argentines protest as lower house passes divisive labor bill

"Argentina's lower house of Congress approved President Javier Milei's labor reform bill, which grants employers greater flexibility in matters of hiring, firing, severance and collective bargaining. Argentine workers staged a general strike on Thursday to protest a labor reform bill backed by libertarian President Javier Milei that they argue would curb historic worker protections. The bill was passed by the Senate last week, before the lower house of Congress passed it by 135 votes in favor and 115 against on Friday."

"The bill would: Limit the right to strike Reduce unions' bargaining power Make it easier for companies to fire workers Extend probation periods Curb workers' ability to sue employers upon dismissal Cut severance pay, traditionally high in Argentina Empower employers to mandate 12-hour workdays (instead of the current 8)"

"Nearly 40% of Argentina's workers do not have formal employment contracts. Unions warn the new bill would only exacerbate the situation, but the government argues it will reduce under-the-table employment and create new jobs by lowering taxes on employers. The bill is in line with Milei's austerity policies, which he has been implementing since taking office. The Argentine president, who is strongly supported by Donald Trump, boasts bringing annual inflation down from 150% to 32% in two years."

Argentina's lower house of Congress approved a labor reform bill that grants employers greater flexibility in hiring, firing, severance and collective bargaining. The bill passed by a 135-115 vote and will return to the Senate for a final vote before becoming law. Unions organized a general strike to oppose reductions to long-standing worker protections dating to the 1940s. The bill would limit strikes, weaken bargaining power, extend probation, curb dismissal lawsuits, cut severance and allow 12-hour workdays. Nearly 40% of workers lack formal contracts. The government argues the reforms will spur investment, formalize jobs and align with broader austerity measures that lowered inflation but cut public-sector jobs.

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