Armando Caro Figueroa, a former Secretary of Labor under President Raúl Alfonsín, discusses the implications of Javier Milei's labor reform agenda. He draws parallels between Milei's current initiatives aimed at reducing inflation and reforming labor laws with those undertaken by Alfonsín in the mid-1980s. However, he emphasizes that while there are similarities in approach, the circumstances differ greatly, with the current political and economic context presenting unique challenges that were absent during Alfonsín's tenure.

Caro Figueroa points out that Alfonsín was highly concerned with the internal democracy of unions and their historical ties to the military, indicating that his reforms were aimed at stabilizing democracy rather than fundamentally altering the labor landscape. He asserts that Milei's approach, in stark contrast, signals a significant shift by prioritizing company agreements over collective bargaining agreements. This priority marks a potential transformation of the Argentine labor and union map, thereby redefining the power structure within labor relations in the country.

The former minister suggests that Milei's reforms may not only reshape the practical aspects of labor law but could also have profound ideological implications. By distancing his administration from Peronist traditions, Milei’s strategy indicates a broader departure from established norms, potentially leading to resistance from traditional labor factions while appealing to new political alignments. This dynamic could reshape Argentine politics and labor relations for years to come, raising questions about the long-term impact of such reforms on societal structures and the economy.