Trending Now - Argentina Senate Approves Milei's Labor Reform Package

WHO:

President Javier Milei, Argentine President

Sergio Emiliozzi, a 60-year-old teacher

General Confederation of Labour (CGT), a labor union in Argentina

Argentine Senate, legislative body

WHAT:

The Argentine Senate approved a labor reform package on March 1, 2026.

The vote count was 42 in favor, 28 against, and 2 abstentions.

The reform aims to create more formal jobs by reducing employer burdens and includes:

Limiting the right to strike

Reducing unions' bargaining power

Making it easier for companies to fire workers

Extending probation periods

Curbing workers' ability to sue employers upon dismissal

Cutting severance pay

Empowering employers to mandate 12-hour workdays

Reducing salaries for employees on sick leave

Recent polls indicated that 48.6% of Argentinians support the reform while 45.2% oppose it.

Thousands of Argentinians protested against the reforms over the past two weeks.

WHERE:

Argentina

Protests occurred outside the parliament in Buenos Aires.

WHEN:

The Senate vote took place on March 1, 2026.

Initial support for the bill was noted in February 2026.

Protests occurred over the last two weeks leading up to the vote.

WHY:

The Milei administration argues that the reforms will spur investment and create formal jobs.

Labor unions contend that the reforms weaken worker protections and rights.

HOW:

The reforms were passed through a legislative process in the Senate.

Protests included clashes between police and demonstrators, with some protests being largely peaceful.

The CGT announced plans to take legal action against the reforms.

Today, the Argentine Senate approved a controversial labor reform package with a vote of 42 in favor, 28 against, and 2 abstentions. The reforms, which aim to create more formal jobs by reducing employer burdens, have sparked significant protests outside the parliament in Buenos Aires over the past two weeks, with thousands of Argentinians expressing their opposition. While recent polls show that nearly half of the population supports the changes, labor unions argue that they undermine worker protections and have announced plans to take legal action against the reforms.