BUENOS AIRES: An Argentine union launched a constitutional challenge on Monday to President Javier Milei’s flagship labour reform, three days after it was adopted.
Milei’s so-called “labour modernisation law” allows working days of up to 12 hours, reduces severance pay, limits the right to strike and lowers employer taxes, among other provisions.
Its adoption on Friday handed a victory to the libertarian president as he pushes to boost hiring by loosening what he calls Argentina’s antiquated labour laws.
Its critics say the legislation rolls back hard-won worker rights.
The State Lawyers Association challenged the law as unconstitutional, arguing that it “harms workers”, the union’s deputy leader Roberto Alvarez wrote on social media.
The General Confederation of Labor (CGT), which called a general strike earlier this month that brought Argentina to a halt, has also announced plans for legal action.
On Monday, the CGT organised protests in several cities, insisting that bringing back labour practices that are “close to servitude or slavery” would not create jobs.
Milei argued that Argentina’s labour laws discouraged formal hiring by being overly restrictive.
Over 43% of Argentine workers lack formal employment contracts.
Polls show Argentines divided on the reform, with a recent survey finding 48.6% in favour and 45.2% against.
Milei has accelerated his free-market deregulatory reforms since winning the October midterms, with backing from US President Donald Trump.
In a state of the nation address on Sunday, Trump’s closest South American ally vowed to “Make Americas Great Again, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego.”
