On Thursday, clashes broke out between police and protesters in front of the Argentine Congress in Buenos Aires, coinciding with the start of discussions on a labor reform bill put forth by President Javier Milei's government. The bill, which aims to overhaul labor laws, has been a focal point of contention, drawing significant opposition from labor unions and the public alike. The leaders of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), Argentina's largest union federation, announced a general strike in response to the proposed reforms, signaling widespread discontent regarding the potential impact on workers' rights.

The labor reform proposals have already cleared the Senate, having been approved the previous week, and are now under deliberation by the Chamber of Deputies. The government's hope is to have a vote on the reforms by February 25, with the goal of final approval before the commencement of regular legislative sessions on March 1. The strike, initiated at midnight on Thursday, marks the beginning of broader protests against the proposed legislation, although these actions are not formally endorsed by the CGT, suggesting internal divisions within the labor movement.

As the situation unfolds, the government and law enforcement are bracing for potential escalations in unrest as dissent against the labor reform bill grows. The public sentiment is increasingly concerned about the implications of the reforms on job security and workers' rights, which could reshape the labor landscape in Argentina. Observers will be closely monitoring how these protests influence legislative decisions and the government's response to widespread societal pushback.