"Argentines protest as lower house passes divisive labor bill", 20 February 2026

...Argentine workers staged a general strike on Thursday to protest a labor reform bill backed by libertarian President Javier Milei that they argue would curb historic worker protections.

The bill was passed by the Senate last week, before the lower house of Congress passed it by 135 votes in favor and 115 against on Friday. It will be sent back to the Senate for a final vote before it becomes law...

The bill would:

• Limit the right to strike
• Reduce unions' bargaining power
• Make it easier for companies to fire workers
• Extend probation periods
• Curb workers' ability to sue employers upon dismissal
• Cut severance pay, traditionally high in Argentina
• Empower employers to mandate 12-hour workdays (instead of the current 8)...

Nearly 40% of Argentina's workers do not have formal employment contracts. Unions warn the new bill would only exacerbate the situation, but the government argues it will reduce under-the-table employment and create new jobs by lowering taxes on employers...