The Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) has officially renewed its leadership for the 2025-2027 period. The new head of the organization is Martín Rappallini, an industrialist and lawyer from Buenos Aires Province, who also leads the Buenos Aires Industrial Union (UIPBA) and owns Cerámica Alberdi. Despite previously opposing President Javier Milei's policies, Rappallini is now a key advocate for the government's labor reform. This reform, born from debates in the 'May Council', seeks to eliminate or limit many labor rights conquered over decades and increase labor flexibility. Rappallini argues that this is necessary to combat 'high litigation rates' and boost 'employability' and 'productivity'. Furthermore, Rappallini is an investor in the San Jorge copper mining project in Uspallata, Mendoza. This project has sparked massive public protests after the provincial legislature approved it without a 'social license'. The project, located 37 km from Uspallata, is 70% owned by the mining company Solway, which has a notorious record in Central America for corruption, human rights violations, and environmental contamination. Concurrently, the Milei government is preparing a second major environmental blow by planning to debate an 'adaptation of the Glaciers Law' before the end of the year.
