Solidarity! Argentinians stage general strike against Milei's attack on labour laws

The Argentinian working class is confronting Javier Milei's labour reform with a general strike on Thursday (19). While MPs debate the issue, the people are taking to the streets to prevent this setback from being approved.

Called by the country's main trade unions, the strike will last 24 hours. The entire transport sector, public offices and banks will not operate throughout the day.

Among the attacks presented by the government, which are being debated in Congress, are the increase in the working day to 12 hours, the reduction of labour compensation, attacks on the right to strike, holidays and employment contracts.

There are also absurd items such as payment in goods or services, instead of wages in the worker's account. Milei's initial plan even included the possibility of reducing the wages of workers on sick leave by up to 75%.

But the reality is well known. The reform did not generate the promised jobs and even lead more people into informality. What actually happened was the precariousness of work and the worsening of the population's quality of life.

It is against this backdrop that Argentines also promise to protest during the day, marching to the Congress square. Members of Parliament will begin debates leading up to the vote on the new law at 2 p.m.

Last week, protests against the reform being voted on in the Senate were harshly repressed by police with water cannons and tear gas. A total of 30 protesters were arrested.

This Thursday, a new repression scheme is being put in place. In a statement, Milei's government has already stated that security forces will act against ‘violent’ demonstrations and even the press will have reduced access to coverage of the issue. 

Unemployment and poverty 

Since he took office in 2023, Milei's actions, particularly public sector spending cuts, have increased unemployment, informal employment (to compensate for lost income) and poverty. 

Under Milei's leadership, poverty became part of life for half of Argentina's population in 2024. Also between 2023 and 2025, around 300,000 jobs were wiped out by the austerity measures imposed by the government.

We fully support Argentina's working class. It is essential to increase street protests and strengthen a general strike across the country to stop another of Milei's measures against the people!