President Javier Milei’s government plans to summon Argentina's lawmakers for extraordinary sessions beginning December 10, aiming to secure rapid approval for two flagship proposals: his sweeping labour reform and 2026 Budget bill.
Local media reports say Milei could sign a decree to that effect in the coming days, shortly after newly elected lawmakers take office, setting the stage for an intense end-of-year legislative push.
The intention is to ensure that debate on the Budget and labour reform is completed before the political calendar tightens in 2026.
Highlighting its importance, local media reports that the labour reform bill is expected to be submitted to Congress on December 9, with debate scheduled to start the following day.
Argentina’s new lawmakers – those elected in last month’s elections – are due to be sworn into Congress next week, with ceremonies for senators and deputies set for November 28 and December 3 respectively.
Milei’s government, which will see its ranks bolstered after a strong showing in the midterms, wants the special sessions of Congress to run right up until December 31, though some within the ruling coalition favour suspension for the holiday period and a resumption of debate in late January or early February 2026.
Officials say no firm decision has been made and will likely not before December 5. “Nothing has been defined; anything is possible,” a top government source told the Noticias Argentinas news agency on Thursday.
The government’s legislative roadmap has been shaped through meetings of Milei’s so-called “May Council,” a consultative body grouping Cabinet officials, provincial governors, lawmakers and union representatives. Its members include UOCRA construction union chief Gerardo Martínez (representing the unions), Senator Carolina Losada (the upper house), lawmaker Cristian Ritondo (lower house) and Mendoza Governor Alfredo Cornejo (provincial governments.
The May Council is expected to meet again to finalise a common document to accompany the legislative package. While the government intends to promote the reform drive as a shared road map, two of the original “May Pact” points – pension reform and changes to federal revenue-sharing – are set to be put aside for next year.
Other bills may also be sent to Congress during extraordinary sessions, including a proposal to modernise the Criminal Code (to be debated in chapters), a fiscal responsibility law, tax reform package, measures to regularise undeclared savings and amendments to the Glacier Protection Law. The latter, linked to the government’s aim of advancing mining projects in provinces such as San Juan, is expected to spark resistance from environmental groups and Peronist lawmakers.
Rumours persist that Milei may personally chair the public presentation of the legislative package – an opportunity advisers believe would draw greater publicity and highlight the government’s “reformist” narrative.
Labour reform
Labour reform lies at the heart of the Milei government’s plans. Government officials have described the bill as a long-overdue “modernisation” of labour laws, aimed at cutting red tape and boosting formal employment.
Argentina’s informal sector remains one of the largest in the region: in mid-2025, an estimated 43 percent of workers were employed informally, according to a UBA-CONICET report – equivalent to more than four in 10 workers.
According to previous reporting, the draft bill includes changes to working hours, collective bargaining rules, union and business-chamber financing, tax burdens on labour, and regulations governing self-employed and freelance workers. Some existing articles may be repealed altogether.
But the reform push will likely face opposition from trade-union leaders, who argue that the proposed changes may erode workers’ rights, weaken collective-bargaining powers and social protections.
The government has not said if it intends to hold talks with the powerful CGT umbrella union grouping, Argentina’s largest union federation, on its plans.
UOCRA’s Martínez has warned that labour leaders will not accept any reform that “implies a setback” in employment rights.
“There is no consensus. The themes and arguments raised in the debate have not led to agreement,” he told the press.
After meeting Milei’s chief adviser Santiago Caputo last week, the labour leader reiterated that unions “will not sit back with their arms crossed” if fundamental protections are weakened.
Within the government there is acknowledgement that “the devil is in the detail”, as one official put it. While ministers say they are open to dialogue, they stress that the Council’s role is advisory and that the final blueprint “will carry the President’s imprint.”
Some business groups also have reservations. The Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) has backed reform in principle but called for tighter limits on labour lawsuits.
Despite these pressures, the government remains determined to push ahead. Off-the-record, advisers say they expect unions to mobilise but say the political cost is outweighed by the urgency.
They also argue that labour leaders recognise the need to tackle informal employment.
– TIMES/PERFIL/NA
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