(Adnkronos) – A general strike is underway today in Argentina against the labor market reform proposed by ultra-liberal president Javier Milei. This is the fourth time Argentine unions have called a general strike against Milei’s far-right government, and today’s strike coincides with the start of the debate in the Chamber of Deputies on the proposed law, which includes extending working hours, reducing severance pay, and restricting the right to strike in certain sectors.
According to union leader Jorge Sola, today’s strike had “a percentage of participation never before seen with this government, massive support.” Rail and subway transport have been suspended, while the airline Aerolíneas Argentinas has canceled 225 flights. Banks remained closed, with widespread adherence to the strike in public offices and the large-scale retail sector.
The government argues that the reform is necessary to liberalize the labor market and attract more foreign investment, but unions speak of measures that erode workers’ rights. Since taking office, Milei, who describes himself as an anarcho-capitalist, has implemented a program of drastic reforms to Latin America’s second-largest economy, starting with drastic cuts in public spending, including the dismissal of thousands of public employees, evoked by his famous ‘chainsaw’ during the election campaign.
