Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies passes controversial labour reform bill

Unions have slammed the reforms as an effort under libertarian President Javier Milei to erode protections for workers.

Buenos Aires, Argentina – After a marathon 12-hour session, Argentina’s lower house of Congress narrowly approved a controversial labour reform bill, in what is shaping up to be a significant win for President Javier Milei.

The vote came in the early hours of Friday after a national strike in protest against the bill caused widespread factory and business closures.

“We have taken another step on the path to making Argentina great again,” Gabriel Bornoroni, a lawmaker in Milei’s party, La Libertad Avanza, wrote online after the vote.

The bill lays out new rules to govern relations between workers and employers. It is expected to become law before the end of the month, after the Senate reviews modifications to the version it first passed last week.

Members of La Libertad Avanza say the legislation will modernise the labour market by making it easier for companies to hire and fire workers, including through limits on severance pay and collective bargaining.