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Argentine Senate passes Milei's major labour reform following over 11-hour debate

Argentine Senate passes Milei's major labour reform following over 11-hour debate

"Argentina's Senate approved the labour reform promoted by President Javier Milei on Friday, following a marathon session lasting nearly 11 hours that began with a tribute to rural leader Jorge Chemes. The bill, dubbed the Labour Modernisation Law, was met by various opposing voices before being put on vote at the Chamber. "Our negative vote is clearly against the bill as a whole and against each of its articles, even if the formality proposes something else," said Senator Fernando Galino from the Justicialist Party. The Labour Modernisation reform was passed with 42 votes in favour, 28 against and two abstentions. The initiative is now ready for the Executive to formalise its enactment through publication in the Official Gazette. The bill had previously received initial approval in the Senate on February 12 and returned to the Upper House after the Chamber of Deputies removed Article 44 from the original text, which relates to medical leave. President Javier Milei described the vote in the Senate as 'historic' in a post on his social media accounts. "We have labour modernisation," the Argentine leader stated, celebrating the approval of the initiative and expressing his gratitude to the La Libertad Avanza (LLA) party. The reform reduces severance pay, extends the working day from 8 to 12 hours and limits the right to strike, although Milei's government argues that they seek to reduce informality and attract investment. The package has provoked intense backlash, unleashing mass demonstrations and road blockades in Buenos Aires and other parts of Argentina."