Congress revs up for labour reform, youth crime regime debates

President Javier Milei’s government opens a new legislative front on Tuesday as it begins its push to introduce a sweeping labour reform bill and lower the age of criminal responsibility in Argentina.

Debate on the bid to amend Argentina’s labour laws begins in the Senate on Thursday.

Local media reports that Milei’s ruling La Libertad Avanza party is in negotiations to finalise the support with consensus-seeking “dialogue orientated” caucuses – including PRO, the Unión Cívica Radial (UCR) and Coalicion Cívica (CC) – as it seeks backing for its reform push.

Interior Minister Diego Santilli has been tasked with securing support from provincial governors who can pledge the support of their lawmakers in both chambers of Congress.

Santilli assured Monday that the government “will have the votes” to ensure passage of the labour reform.

"President Javier Milei, for the second two years of his term, has clearly stated that the goal is to grow and generate formal employment, which is what we need as a country, and this law is a step in that direction," he said.

The reform will “create jobs,” he assured, while admitting there had been amendments to the initial text of the bill. "The central objective of the law has not changed," he stressed.

Santilli noted that "more than 50 percent of workers are in the informal sector, and with this law they will move into the formal sector," which means "they will have access to a future pension, healthcare, holidays and have their wages paid into a bank account."

The changes would “put an end to the litigation industry that has destroyed jobs in Argentina, not only in large companies, which are better able to protect themselves,” but also in smaller companies, he said.

Trade unions have expressed strong opposition to the bill, which would overhaul Argentina’s labour laws. Demonstrations by labour groups are expected outside Congress throughout the week, beginning Tuesday.

The Milei administration’s Juvenile Criminal Law bill, which seeks to lower the age of criminal responsibility in Argentina from 16 to 13, proposes a special regime with “socio-educational measures and alternative penalties” for convicted youths. It also does away with life imprisonment, setting a maximum sentence of 20 years for minors.

However, adolescents aged 14 or older who commit serious crimes could be subject to penalties similar to those for adults, with maximum sentences of 15 years or more.

For crimes with sentences of less than three years, or up to 10 years if not involving serious violence, priority is given to measures with a social and educational focus, with the possibility of granting assisted release and performing community service, instead of actual imprisonment.

According to the ruling party, the bill seeks to end the "revolving door" system of justice and punish crimes committed by minors under the age of 16 who currently enjoy impunity under the current law.

– TIMES/NA