Millions of commuters are stranded across Argentina today. A massive national strike has completely halted public transport, banking, and port operations. Consequently, this widespread paralysis aligns with a definitive legislative vote on a controversial Argentine labor reform.
President Javier Milei is pushing a sweeping deregulation package. Lawmakers in the lower Chamber of Deputies will vote on the bill late Thursday. Furthermore, this legislation previously passed the Senate with center-right support.
However, the nation’s largest labor federation, the CGT, fiercely opposes the measure. They launched a 24-hour strike to protest the legislative action. Union leaders argue the overhaul violently strips away historic worker protections.
Why the Argentine Labor Reform Sparked a Nationwide Strike
The proposed changes would dramatically reshape the country’s employment landscape. Specifically, the bill severely limits the constitutional right to strike. It forces essential services to maintain minimum operational levels during any walkout.
Additionally, the legislation significantly lowers severance costs for corporations. Employers would no longer include certain mandatory bonuses in compensation calculations.
This is significant because Argentina faces a deeply entrenched economic crisis. Supporters claim these drastic cuts will encourage formal employment and foreign investment. Conversely, workers fear the legislation will completely destroy job security.
Meanwhile, the unrest has severely disrupted global trade routes. Maritime workers launched an aggressive 48-hour walkout starting Wednesday. They are actively targeting cargo vessels at the port of Rosario.
This specific blockade carries massive economic weight. Rosario serves as one of the world’s largest agricultural export hubs. Therefore, halting cargo operations directly threatens international supply chains.
Ultimately, global investors are watching this congressional vote closely. They want to see if Milei can successfully enforce his free-market agenda. Any lower house modifications will send the bill back to the Senate for final approval.
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