The CGT trade union body has contested the recent changes introduced by Argentina’s President Milei, which technically came into effect last Friday, arguing that they undermine fundamental worker protections such as the right to strike and parental leave.
In response, three judges from Argentina’s labor appeals chamber have suspended elements of Milei’s decree. These changes included an extension of the legal job probation period from three to eight months, a reduction in compensation for dismissals, and a cut in pregnancy leave. The judges expressed doubts about the “necessity” and “urgency” of the decree signed by Milei on December 20, just days after taking office. They have suspended the measures until they can be thoroughly examined by Congress.
Judge Alejandro Sudera raised concerns that some of the measures seemed “repressive or punitive” and questioned their alignment with Milei’s objective of “creating real jobs.” The government has announced its intention to appeal Wednesday’s ruling.
Last week, thousands protested against the reforms proposed by Milei, a self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist” who won elections in November with promises of reducing state spending amid Argentina’s economic crisis, including triple-digit inflation. The CGT has called for a general strike on January 24 in response to these changes. The CGT trade union
The measures introduced by Milei have sparked constitutional debates among jurists and face multiple court challenges. The president’s mega-decree aimed to dismantle over 350 economic regulations, marking a significant shift away from the country’s tradition of heavy government intervention in the market. The changes include the elimination of a law regulating rent, the privatization of state enterprises, and the termination of around 7,000 civil service contracts.