By Breaking Editor 
Argentina is facing significant unrest following the approval of a controversial labor reform by President Javier Milei’s administration in the lower house of Congress. The reform, which reportedly contains over 200 modifications, has ignited accusations of reducing workers’ rights and imposing conditions reminiscent of “semi-slavery,” according to critics, including labor unions and various social media commentators.
On Thursday, a general strike paralyzed much of the country, in direct response to the government’s decision. Workers from various sectors expressed their discontent, asserting that the reform harms the rights and livelihoods of Argentinians. The government warned of a crackdown on journalists covering the protests, further escalating tensions.
Critics have raised concerns over the impact of the reforms on Argentina’s already struggling economy. Reports indicate that the approval of the labor law has coincided with a sharp increase in child mortality rates, marking the first rise in two decades, amid a backdrop of public service dismantlement. This has led to accusations of exacerbating poverty among the nation’s most vulnerable populations, with families resorting to loans just to secure basic necessities such as food, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Despite the backlash, the Milei administration maintains that the reforms are necessary to boost economic growth and attract foreign investment. Supporters of the reform, including libertarians and certain business factions, have begun to migrate to Argentina to partake in the new labor policies, which they argue will foster entrepreneurship and economic opportunity.