Buenos Aires, December 20 (NA) – The labor reform promoted by the government of Javier Milei is presented to society as an instrument to 'modernize' or 'update' labor law in order to supposedly foster job creation. However, we must remember that the defense of labor rights is not an obstacle or a problem for development, but an indispensable and undeniable condition for a more just, equitable, free, democratic, and socially integrated society. In summary, the labor reform pushed by Milei's government is not a modernization, but an unfavorable project that shifts the entire adjustment onto workers. We have not heard a single Argentine employer attacking or blaming any union as responsible for the crisis. The only one attempting to hold workers responsible, through the collective defense of their rights, is the State, represented in this case by the government of Javier Milei. The International Labor Organization (ILO) has repeatedly warned that sustainable economic growth requires decent employment, as established in its Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization (2008, act. Nevertheless, a preliminary analysis of the text reveals a complete regression in labor rights, violating principles and guarantees of our Magna Carta, as well as substantial regulations of the International Labor Organization (ILO). The aspect that should most concern the organized labor movement is the government's axis that pursues the expansion and deepening of labor flexibility: extending the probation period, facilitating dismissals, reducing penalties for undeclared employment ('in black') directly attack the protective principle of Labor Law. Any sanction against the proposed labor reform would directly impact article 14 bis of our National Constitution, which, among other things, guarantees equal remuneration for equal work, decent and fair working conditions, job stability, protection against arbitrary dismissal, etc. The CGT took responsibility for the delays in the treatment of the labor reform: 'The demonstration showed the rejection.' Also, the reform targets one of the most important tools for workers, through their trade union organizations, which is collective bargaining, in clear violation of ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98, ratified by the Argentine Republic, which guarantee freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining itself. Attempting to limit union action, promoting individual agreements between workers and employers with little or no union participation, would result in a scenario of greater inequality between parties, with the worker side always being harmed due to the violation of acquired rights, which, in most cases, are recognized, as we mentioned earlier, even at the international level. Milei's labor reform will be debated in the Senate on February 10. From a purely technical point of view, history shows that the violation, precariousness, or alteration of rights does not improve productivity, does not contribute to pacifying the labor climate, nor does it generate jobs. Paradoxically, it achieves the consolidation of the weakness of the internal market, wage decreases, and social conflict.
