CGT to Hold Major Protest Against Labor Reform in Buenos Aires

The General Confederation of Labor (CGT) will hold a massive protest this Wednesday in front of the National Congress against the labor reform bill promoted by President Javier Milei. This march will coincide with the traditional retirees' march and will take place simultaneously with the debate in the Senate, where the official initiative could receive preliminary approval. The labor union decided to proceed with the protest even after obtaining modifications to the original text, including the maintenance of the so-called 'union box' for social works and the continuation of the solidarity contribution, now with a cap, that finances the unions. Despite these changes, the CGT leadership described the reform as 'regressive' and stated that it affects individual and collective rights. The main concentration will begin at 2:00 PM in the vicinity of the Parliament, without a stage or scheduled speakers. The ruling coalition hopes to gather the necessary votes to advance the initiative after accepting 28 amendments that included concessions in union financing and employer contributions. In turn, La Cámpora called for a march under the slogan to reject the 'Milei and IMF reform', and the 'Movement for the Right to the Future' (MDF) confirmed the presence of Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof, who will participate from the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo House. The debate in the Senate is taking place in a climate of strong polarization. The CGT maintains that these measures flexibilize labor conditions and weaken collective bargaining. The Left Front called for its own event starting at noon on Avenida Rivadavia, intending to differentiate itself from the CGT leadership and demand a general strike. The bulk of the union columns will enter through Hipólito Yrigoyen, while the leftist organizations will do so through Rivadavia, in a coordinated scheme to distribute the different sectors in the Plaza del Congreso. The protocol against roadblocks began to be implemented from the night before, with perimeter fencing and the coordinated presence of the Federal Police, Gendarmerie, Naval Prefecture, Airport Security Police, and Prison Service vehicles for potential transfers. However, the Automotive Transport Union (UTA) and railway unions are not part of this entity, so the impact on public transport will be uneven. The Union of Workers of the Popular Economy (UTEP), led by Alejandro Gramajo, will march with the CGT, consolidating an approach that has deepened in recent months.