Overview
- Lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies approved the reform 135–115 late Feb. 19 after earlier Senate passage, sending the amended bill back to the upper chamber for final approval.
- The 24-hour nationwide strike shut down most public transport, prompted dozens of flight cancellations, and saw major road blockades around Buenos Aires.
- Clashes erupted near Congress in the capital as police used tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets; media reported at least a dozen arrests.
- The package would allow workdays of up to 12 hours, narrow strike rights in essential services, reduce dismissal compensation, introduce overtime time-accounts, and scrap the professional journalist status.
- Unions claimed participation above 90% and pointed to recent factory closures—including Fate’s overnight dismissal of 920 workers—as they contest Milei’s push to formalize a labor market with extensive informality.