Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, to oppose labor reforms that would limit the right to strike and cancel employment benefits.
The protests come as the country’s Senate debates the legislation, backed by libertarian President Javier Milei.
The reforms are seen as an attempt to curb the power of organized labor.
Meanwhile, Milei has argued that reforms are essential to realizing his vision of a free-market economy without burdensome regulations.
But unions came out in force to demonstrate against the proposed bill.
The resulting demonstrations led to clashes with police in downtown Buenos Aires.
Security forces used water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas, while some protesters threw Molotov cocktails, stones and water bottles.
In a statement, the General Confederation of Labor, a coalition of unions that helped organize the demonstration, denounced the reforms as an attack on workers’ rights.
The reforms would, among other things, make it easier for businesses to lay off employees and reduce severance payments.
They would also limit the ability of unions to participate in collective bargaining.
“It’s not modernization. It’s oppression for workers,” the confederation said. /Telegraph/
