Argentina's Milei expands limits on right to strike

Argentine trade unions reacted angrily Thursday to a decree issued by President Javier Milei curtailing the right to strike in the education, shipping and other sectors.The libertarian Milei, in a decree published Wednesday, added several sectors to a list of essential services whose workers are required to provide a substantial level of service during strikes.The previous list designated air traffic controllers, hospital staff and energy sector workers as essential workers.Milei added education, fluvial and maritime shipping, port services, customs and telecommunications to the tally.The main labor confederation, the CGT, said the decree "attempts to erase the right to strike in Argentina in one fell swoop, without debate or prior analysis."Previously, in the event of a strike, companies, unions and public officials were required to reach agreement on what level of activity would be maintained.Under the new decree, workers in the listed sectors must ensure 75 per cent service levels.The decree also establishes a new category of activity covering construction, food supply and transport companies, in which strikers must maintain 50 per cent service levelsFailure to comply could result in fines and sanctions for trade unions.Matias Cremonte, president of the Latin American Association of Labor Lawyers, said the new rules were "unconstitutional" because they prevented workers from exercising their right to strike.Trade unions have staged a string of general strikes in Argentina since Milei, an economist, came to power in December 2023 on a program of deep cuts in state spending.