The Workers’ Group stands with Argentinian workers and Trade Unions against a regressive labour reform

The Workers’ Group fully supports the Argentinian workers and trade unions in their fight against the far- right government’s  proposed labour reform that introduces new restrictions to the right to strike, hold assemblies and engage in collective bargaining, violating several ILO standards ratified by Argentina. Moreover, the proposed reform brings deregulation on working hours and paid leave, easier dismissals, and defunds the social security system, leaving unemployed workers and pensioners even more vulnerable. The fact that, under the new law, injured or sick workers outside their workplace (even by accident) will lose part of their salaries on sick leave is equally worrying. 

The Workers’ Group condemns as well the harsh repression against Argentinian workers and trade unions demonstrating against the proposed reform. 

“We stand in solidarity with Argentinians in defending their fundamental rights. Curtailing the right to strike, preventing collective bargaining, defunding pensions, making dismissals as easy as possible: these are worrying signs that endanger the very foundations of Argentinian democracy”, said Lucie Studničná, President of the Workers’ Group.

We call on the Argentinian government to reconsider its position and start a dialogue process with social partners to tackle social issues in a manner that is not simply a push for authoritarianism and letting workers pay the lion’s share of the economic crisis.