The Argentine Senate’s approval of President Javier Milei’s labor reform on February 12, 2026, represents a textbook case of capitalist counter-revolution in action—a desperate attempt by the ruling class to reverse the gains of the working class and restore the conditions of the 19th century. The 42-30 vote in favor of this neoliberal assault on workers’ rights, following a marathon 13-hour debate, reveals the naked class character of Argentine politics and the lengths to which the bourgeoisie will go to protect its interests.
Milei’s “shock therapy” program, with its libertarian veneer and promises of “free-market salvation,” is nothing more than a sophisticated weapon in the arsenal of capital against the proletariat. The reform’s centerpiece—allowing 12-hour workdays, restricting the right to strike, and regulating union assemblies—represents a frontal assault on the very foundations of working-class organization. In the language of the 19th-century factory owner, the worker is reduced to a mere commodity, expendable and replaceable at the whim of capital.
What makes this particular episode significant is its timing within the broader crisis of global capitalism. Argentina, like all capitalist countries, is experiencing the contradictions of its system—economic instability, social inequality, and the growing crisis of legitimacy of the ruling class. In such moments, the bourgeoisie turns to its most extreme elements, seeking to dismantle the social protections that have been won through decades of struggle. The fact that this reform passed with the support of the Senate, despite massive street protests and the vocal opposition of organized labor, demonstrates the complete subordination of the state to capitalist interests.
The Argentine working class, however, has a long history of resistance. From the general strikes of the early 20th century to the mass mobilizations of the 1970s, Argentine workers have shown time and again their capacity to challenge the ruling class. The current struggle against Milei’s labor reform is the latest chapter in that history, and it is crucial that the working class remains vigilant and organized.
The reform’s provisions—particularly the restrictions on strike action and union assemblies—represent a calculated attempt to break the independent political power of the working class. By making it more difficult to organize and strike, the ruling class hopes to isolate workers and prevent the development of a revolutionary consciousness. This is precisely the strategy that the bourgeoisie has employed throughout history, from the anti-union laws of the 19th century to the current wave of anti-protest legislation in various countries.
The Argentine proletariat must recognize that this is not merely a legal or political battle, but a class struggle with profound implications for the future of society. The reform represents a step backward in the historical development of the working class, but it also serves as a catalyst for revolutionary consciousness. The experience of resistance, even when temporarily unsuccessful, strengthens the working class and prepares it for future battles.
The international working class must take note of this development. The struggle in Argentina is not isolated—it is part of a global offensive by capital against workers’ rights. From the anti-union legislation in various European countries to the suppression of protests in the United States, the bourgeoisie is attempting to roll back decades of progress. The Argentine workers’ fight is therefore a fight for all workers, a fight that must be supported and learned from.
The passage of this reform is a setback, but it is not a defeat. The Argentine proletariat must continue to fight, using all available means—strikes, protests, and, ultimately, revolutionary action—to defend its rights and advance its interests. The bourgeoisie may have the state on its side, but the working class has the power of the masses, and that power cannot be ignored. As history has shown time and again, the working class, when properly organized and led, can and will overcome even the most determined opposition from the ruling class.