Workers at Argentina’s ports walked off the job Wednesday for a two-day strike protesting proposed changes to the country’s labor laws, according to union officials.
The maritime workers federation FESIMAF organized the work stoppage to oppose President Javier Milei’s labor reform legislation.
Port operations are being disrupted across Argentina, with the most significant impact expected at Rosario, which ranks among the globe’s major agricultural shipping centers. The strike is affecting vessel loading, unloading operations, pilot boat services, and other commercial shipping activities, industry officials report.
Guillermo Wade from the Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities confirmed the strike’s immediate effects on port functions. “Ships are being loaded, but once they’re two or three feet short of the draft needed for dispatch, they’ll almost certainly stop,” Wade told Reuters.
Union representatives defended their action in a social media post. “This action aims to defend our labor rights and the stability of our jobs,” FESIMAF stated.
The proposed labor reforms have sparked widespread resistance from Argentine labor organizations, who claim the legislation would weaken worker protections that have been in place for years.
The country’s lower legislative chamber is set to consider the reform bill Thursday, following its passage in the Senate last week.
Adding to the labor tensions, Argentina’s influential CGT labor confederation has scheduled a nationwide strike for Thursday as well.
