The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) expresses its full solidarity with transport unions and workers across Argentina taking strike action today in defence of labour rights, trade union freedoms and democratic protections.
The national strike called by CGT comes as President Javier Milei’s labour reform advanced through Congress after being approved in the Senate last week by 42 votes to 30 following a marathon debate and now moves to the lower house for final approval.
The proposed legislation includes measures to weaken collective bargaining, restrict the right to strike, reduce severance protections, deregulate working conditions and increase employer flexibility, changes that would roll back fundamental rights won through decades of struggle. By undermining freedom of association and collective bargaining, these attacks place Argentina in clear conflict with its obligations under ILO Conventions 87 and 98. Transport workers are once again on the frontline of defending democratic and workplace rights as unions mobilise against reforms.
ITF President Paddy Crumlin said: “This reform agenda is a direct attack on working people and on the trade union movement in Argentina. President Milei’s government is attempting to dismantle hard-won labour rights under the false promise of economic freedom, while shifting the burden of crisis onto workers and their families. Transport workers are right to resist. When governments try to silence unions, restrict the right to strike and weaken collective bargaining, the international labour movement must respond with unity and solidarity. The ITF stands firmly alongside our affiliates in this fight.”
ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton added: “Across the world we are seeing economic reforms used to shift risk onto working people. Argentine transport workers are right to defend secure employment, social protections and internationally recognised labour rights, and governments must engage in genuine social dialogue rather than impose reforms that erode workers’ protections. Today, transport workers across every region of the world stand in solidarity with all those on strike in Argentina defending their rights and their future.”
The ITF joins the global trade union movement in calling for respect for international labour standards and meaningful dialogue with unions and stands firmly with Argentine transport workers and their unions in their struggle for decent work, social justice and democratic freedoms. The ITF stands alongside the ITUC and TUCA in supporting the CGT, the CTA-A and the CTA-T as they oppose this regressive package, which represents a serious assault on trade union and democratic rights.
Image credit: REUTERS
